I was invited to a friend’s church a couple of weeks ago and finally made it yesterday. I haven’t been to church in quite sometime, maybe once this year, so I was a looking forward to hearing an inspirational message.
Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. But I’ll tell you of two strange things that did.
First, my neighbor, sitting immediately to my right, asked to borrow some scrap paper during service. After giving her a sheet, I noticed that she scribbled a note that she later passed to a woman sitting just ahead of us. I assumed she knew the woman and tried to mind my own business. About fifteen minutes later (I don’t know where the note was all this time), she passed the note to me and it read:
Hi how are you? I was wondering if you could help me out and spare a few dollars. I don’t get paid until Thursday, so I’ll be able to give it back to you on Friday.
As you can imagine, I was in complete amazement. I’ve had people ask me for money before, but never in a church pew…..
All sorts of thoughts ran through my head. Since she’s a member, why couldn’t she ask the pastor? Another member (she knew I was a visitor)? Was this her sole purpose in coming to church? Is it really this bad out here? Could this be the best place to ask?
The answers didn’t really matter. I didn’t have the cash on hand and even if I did, I don’t give cash to strangers.
I’m not even sure why, but as I type, I think it’s mostly about safety. I feel very uncomfortable reaching for cash on the street, out in the open. I know that there are people that give money from their cars to beggars on the street, but I don’t want a stranger that close to me, or my vehicle. In addition, I’ve noticed that the same people hang out on street corners in my neighborhood ….and there are a few that I’ve seen for at least a year (and no, I’m not kidding or exaggerating). This happens mostly because I live near downtown Detroit, near a university and large medical center that attracts all levels of income and opportunity for the indigent.
So what do I do? I will buy meals for strangers if they need food. I will contribute to a number of non-profit organizations who supply scholarships here in Detroit and in Namibia, where I served. I will donate food, clothing, time, and other goods to help the elderly and those in need.
But, I will not distribute cash to strangers on the street……or in a church.
Any thoughts? What would you have done if you received the note? Do you feel comfortable giving money to strangers? Have you asked a stranger for money?
***I’ll tell you about the other strange thing on Tuesday 
Lauren Says:
