NEW BEGGAR ON THE BLOCK

Everyday, on my way to work, I see beggars although few on the side of the road starring at the people walking by so that someone with a merciful heart may drop in a few coins. Most of them I believe are not genuine beggars but if somebody is capable of identifying one, let everybody know so that we can be merciful to the right ones who won't misuse our hard earned money.

It is better to give them food than money. Extra food however is not something we always carry with us. Beggars prefer money so that they can buy something that is not useful to them like drugs, alcohol.... This is what I have heard.

I have noticed that a beggar won't stay for long in the same area. Not for more than a few days. They are consistent in being inconsistent, nomading from one area to another. After a few days, you get to see a new face. They are seasonal. Some don't stay during the rainy season while some sit right outside gates of Churches, Temples or Mosques so that devotees coming out offer some money out of kindness and compassion.

When I was a child, I used to think lending money to beggars is the right and righteous thing to do. As I grew up, I realised that we can be righteous just by feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty and clothing the naked. We are cheated every where and by many indeed who sit on the side of the road. The question is, who is genuine? Should we really not give so as to discourage them from begging or give and forget?

I have also read about the beggars who own houses and yet choose to beg. Probably one of the easiest and fastest ways of stealing money. They are indeed actors in the beggars' world of artists. Guilt, compassion and mercy are three main feelings a beggar can play on people for getting money from them. You feel guilty, you donate money. You feel compassion, you lend money. You have mercy, you give money to beggars who aren't really beggars or who knows.

A new beggar on the block shows that they roam from one place to another in search of target customers to make thumping profit from their silent and non-aggressive sales. They have television sets in their houses. This means they pay for electricity but don't pay taxes.

I do not mean to discourage the meaning of giving to beggars. All I mean is that give them something else other than money. I am sure they won't bite you if you give them food or water. They may either accept or reject but what's it to you, you can forget after giving; after all you did you duty and certainly gave the hungry food to eat and the thirsty to drink.