We go to such great lengths to justify not giving to the poor. We even recite the same dogma time and again to reassure ourselves that we are right to ignore them.

“That guy is just going to spend it on booze.”

“I know, right. And I swear they go in shifts. Like ‘it’s my turn to get these idiots to give me money.'”

“And if you try to give them food they won’t take it.”

“Exactly. That’s why I don’t give anything to them. They don’t really need it or they’d take the food.”

However, Jesus didn’t give us a condition for giving to the poor. He didn’t tell us we could decide if we thought they really were poor or just faking. He didn’t tell us to only give if we thought they wouldn’t buy liquor with it. He said to give.

In many cases, homelessness is a symptom of something else, whether a mental disorder, abuse, or bad luck. And I’ve already discussed in a previous post how we systematically create and reinforce poverty in our society.

Conversely, we love to be generous to our friends who don’t need help. Or for medical research to help a handful of people with a rare disease – while making doctors and the supporting industry filthy rich. We can’t be bothered with the poor, largely because we think they deserve it. But also, to quote Jay Leno, “Here in America, we want everyone to know about the good work we’re doing anonymously.” It’s not cool to help those actually in need. And certainly not in a way that would actually help.

First and foremost we want to feel good about what we do by giving in ways that will result in praise and affirmation of our own goodness by our peers.

How many foundations have been started in precisely this way? And didn’t Jesus tell us to do the complete opposite? “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

Ask yourself whether you are giving to be recognized, or if you give because you genuinely seek to love your neighbor as yourself.