Generosity Takes a Hit

I know this has happened to all of us.  I came out of the grocery store and was approached by a man asking for money.  He used the same line that every person does, "I need gas money to get home."  They always point to their car to show you that they really have a car.  Most of the time I don't carry cash, but I had some ones on me that I was going to use for a tip for getting my hair cut.  So I gave the guy a buck.  He seemed a little disgusted that that was all I gave him.  As I pulled away I started feeling my anger rise.  If that man was really in need why didn't he call one of his friends or his family.  Why doesn't he just use a credit card.  That's what most of us would do if we didn't have enough money for gas but really needed it.  Isn't that what credit cards are for -- emergencies?  So using that logic, why didn't this guy use his card?  There are really only three reasons why not.  1. He doesn't have one because he is a cash only kind of man.  2.  He left his wallet at home.  3.  He is a bad manager of money and has terrible credit and can't get a credit card.  You have 3 guesses to guess which one this guy's reason was, and the first two don't count.  My frustration continued because I thought that I should really feel good about helping someone, but really I just wanted my dollar back.  I had just went to the store to get enough food to make my husband's lunch with the last $40 dollars we had until pay day.  I was literally adding each penny on the calculator to make sure I didn't go over budget, and now I give my last dollar away.  Shouldn't I feel good about being generous?  I have to be honest that I am not naturally gifted with generosity, that's more my husband's thing.  But I am more than willing to help someone that I know is in real need.  Our country offers lots and lots of ways to get access to the things we need.  If a person needs food there are food pantries all over town.  You can also find churches who have free clothing for families in need.  The news channels give away toys and coats for the needy.  You can apply for food stamps and free health care if you need it.  You can even get free rent and reduced utilities if you need it.  So why are there people asking me for money in the parking lot? 
I hope that you understand that I am not discriminating against the poor, because I have had to use some government assistance in my life.  I am just frustrated with people who don't want to work.  Even in the Bible the poor had to work to eat.  During the harvest the harvesters were to leave the grain that fell to the ground for the poor.  But the poor had to actually come and glean the field themselves and pick up the grains that fell.  They didn't just stand on the edge of the field and ask for grain.  The ones that sat and asked for money were those who were physically unable to work.  I understand that times are hard and that jobs are scarce but the Bible says that if a man doesn't work, he doesn't eat.  Even if you don't have a job that pays money, you can work for what you need.  Like clean a local church in exchange for food.  Or pick up scrap metal for and trade it in for money.  If you are trying your best then yes you deserve help.  But please don't sit on your butt with your hand out, because you won't get a hand out from me any more.  And buddy, I want my dollar back.

I posted this and then thought about what was really making me upset.  I feel like he was lying.  If you are in need tell me, but don't lie about the reason.  If you are going to buy drugs say that.  And please don't tell me that your kids are starving if you are going to use the money to drink.  Genuine need deserves genuine help.