jwardl
Registered User
Had an interesting dilemma last night at lodge: a stranger walked up and told a group of us of that he was new to the area, and of his current misfortune -- he had a sick child who needed medicine, and was looking for any help he could get. He wasn't looking only for a handout, but expressed a willingness to WORK for anything he could get.
In any event, most of us just stood there, including me. I truly had no cash, but that's not the point. One asked if he had ID, to which he said no. In the end, one of us was big enough to take a risk and handed him a $20, after which the man quickly disappeared.
What still haunts me, however, is that with all the scams out there, my FIRST and overriding thought was not for this man's welfare, but wondering if he was trying to play on our sympathies. Can't begin to describe the number of times strangers have attempted to con me personally; to this day, it's rare that I can visit a gas station without running into someone whose car conveniently ran out of gas there and desperately needs to get somewhere. As men who are taught the lessons of brotherly love, the equality of man, and charity along the way, however, what SHOULD we do when faced with a situation such as this? I personally don't want to send away one who is truly in need without having contributed to his relief if able, but have to consider the potential waste of giving to a scammer -- knowing that my cash not only could have gone to help someone who had a legitimate need, but only reinforces the scammer's fortitude to continue using his fellow man.
In THIS instance, I can't help but think that the impression of masonry we gave this man was not a good one.
Thoughts?
In any event, most of us just stood there, including me. I truly had no cash, but that's not the point. One asked if he had ID, to which he said no. In the end, one of us was big enough to take a risk and handed him a $20, after which the man quickly disappeared.
What still haunts me, however, is that with all the scams out there, my FIRST and overriding thought was not for this man's welfare, but wondering if he was trying to play on our sympathies. Can't begin to describe the number of times strangers have attempted to con me personally; to this day, it's rare that I can visit a gas station without running into someone whose car conveniently ran out of gas there and desperately needs to get somewhere. As men who are taught the lessons of brotherly love, the equality of man, and charity along the way, however, what SHOULD we do when faced with a situation such as this? I personally don't want to send away one who is truly in need without having contributed to his relief if able, but have to consider the potential waste of giving to a scammer -- knowing that my cash not only could have gone to help someone who had a legitimate need, but only reinforces the scammer's fortitude to continue using his fellow man.
In THIS instance, I can't help but think that the impression of masonry we gave this man was not a good one.
Thoughts?
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