Succor Those That Stand in Need

Throughout the years as I have encountered panhandlers looking for money and been faced with the decision of whether or not to offer them something, I have often thought of King Benjamin’s poignant words: “Ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish” (Mosiah 4:16). As I have sometimes chosen not to give for various reasons, I have wondered if I was violating King Benjamin’s injunction here and even felt guilty because of it. I have thought to myself, “If someone asks for money who appears to be in need and I don’t give, aren’t I going against what this Book of Mormon prophet taught?” As I studied more carefully his words this morning I believe the answer is no—at least not necessarily.

                One of the key points in King Benjamin’s words related to giving to those in need was about judgment. He said, “Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just—But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.” In other words, King Benjamin’s words condemn you if the reason you don’t give to the beggar is because you want them to receive a punishment and you feel they deserve it. The prophet continued, “And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much more just will be your condemnation for withholding your substance, which doth not belong to you but to God” (Mosiah 4:17-18,22). We should not look at the person in need and think, “Well, that’s what they get for bad choices—they are just getting what they deserve from their foolish actions.” If that is the spirit of our thoughts, then certainly King Benjamin would call us to repentance. But I believe we can have valid reasons not to give money to one asking—even when we have it—that have nothing to do with passing some kind of final judgment about the punishment we think they deserve. As many know (and as cities such as Salt Lake City sometimes explicitly communicate to those who might give money to panhandler), direct financial handouts often will not bless the person who is caught in traps of addiction. Even Elder Holland in a talk on giving of our substance, which was based on King Benjamin’s message, alluded to the fact that he wasn’t necessarily advocating the support of panhandlers. I believe that we cannot always decide in advance and that there may be times when you really should give to one asking for money, but if such a course of action does not seem wise and our motivation in not giving is not judgment but love, then we need not feel condemned by King Benjamin’s words.

                But, we should feel a deep obligation to do more to help those who are in need by giving of our substance. The Savior taught us that our sacrifice is more important than our quantity as he watched the widow give two mites: “Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had” (Luke 21:3-4). I think I came to appreciate better yesterday what the Savior was teaching as my family had the opportunity to provide a few Christmas gifts to another family. As we delivered a few presents to this family of six from Burundi whose father is without work—and who recently took in two foster children as well despite their challenging financial situation—I was amazed at their generosity towards us. As we dropped off some gifts they invited us in and the mother brought us food and drinks and was incredibly solicitous. Then the two boys showed up with a book and a box full of toy cars for my two-year-old as a spontaneous Christmas gift. They then handed us chocolates as well and shortly thereafter they came in with a gift bag with even more things in it they put together to give us while we were there. I was perhaps most impressed with the nine-year-old boy who then came in and offered us one of his books—How the Grinch Stole Christmas—even though it was used and written in. The mother was a little embarrassed because it was used, but we gladly accepted this offering that came from his heart. We had not had to give the widow’s mite to offer something to this family, but I felt they were giving just that back to us. What was important was not how much they had to offer but how much they wanted to share despite their limited means. I hope someday to be as generous as they naturally were. They surely live according to King Benjamin’s teaching as we all should strive to do: “Ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need.”