I remember once around 1980, when I was working for 7UP/RC Cola Bottling Company. I pulled up to a convenience store for a delivery and a man that looked to be homeless approached me wanting to sell me a shoe. 1 raggedy, dirty, worn-out shoe. When I told him that I really appreciated the offer, but really didn't need a shoe, came the request for $20 so he could get something to eat.
I had $20 but I wasn't about to fork over cash. I offered to buy him lunch, and guess what? He wasn't really hungry right then. He would rather have cash so that he could get something "later". The smell of alcohol led me to believe he had something different in mind.
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Late 80's I was Pastoring a small country Church when a family came to the parsonage, needing food. This family didn't live in our town and a few calls revealed that this family was going from Church to Church raking in a LOT of food which they were trading for beer and cigarettes.
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[img]http://memecrunch.com/meme/6D03T/sob-story/image.jpg[/img]
Beware the pull on your heartstrings — it’s often the pursestrings that are actually being reached for. When approached with tales of woe, keep in mind those making the request should have other avenues of relief available to them beyond that of asking random strangers for cash. Is it reasonable to assume they have no family or friends who could come to their assistance? (http://www.snopes.com/fraud/distress/stranded.asp)
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Yes, scamsters are alive and well, spinning their sob stories. Those that often don't realize that this sort of thing even happens, often champion their cause!
There are people that are truly in need. If you don't know for a FACT that this is the case, I suggest being very careful as to what sort of "aid" you provide.
If you have a downline member that wants financial help "so that they would be encouraged" (that is what they usually say) do you see how much effort they are putting forth? Often their All-Time VP streak is less than 10 days!
I remember once around 1980, when I was working for 7UP/RC Cola Bottling Company. I pulled up to a convenience store for a delivery and a man that looked to be homeless approached me wanting to sell me a shoe. 1 raggedy, dirty, worn-out shoe. When I told him that I really appreciated the offer, but really didn't need a shoe, came the request for $20 so he could get something to eat.
I had $20 but I wasn't about to fork over cash. I offered to buy him lunch, and guess what? He wasn't really hungry right then. He would rather have cash so that he could get something "later". The smell of alcohol led me to believe he had something different in mind.
*************************
Late 80's I was Pastoring a small country Church when a family came to the parsonage, needing food. This family didn't live in our town and a few calls revealed that this family was going from Church to Church raking in a LOT of food which they were trading for beer and cigarettes.
************************
Beware the pull on your heartstrings — it’s often the pursestrings that are actually being reached for. When approached with tales of woe, keep in mind those making the request should have other avenues of relief available to them beyond that of asking random strangers for cash. Is it reasonable to assume they have no family or friends who could come to their assistance? (http://www.snopes.com/fraud/distress/stranded.asp)
***************************
Yes, scamsters are alive and well, spinning their sob stories. Those that often don't realize that this sort of thing even happens, often champion their cause!
There are people that are truly in need. If you don't know for a FACT that this is the case, I suggest being very careful as to what sort of "aid" you provide.
If you have a downline member that wants financial help "so that they would be encouraged" (that is what they usually say) do you see how much effort they are putting forth? Often their All-Time VP streak is less than 10 days!
