“Panhandling is against the law. Please do not give to law-breakers.”

(What would Jesus do?)

I’m riding a Manhattan-bound N train when a drone-like “female” AI voice booms over the subway loudspeaker: 

“Passengers, panhandling is against the law. Please do not give to law-breakers.”

Let’s rewind back to the 70s or 80s. If a sci-fi flick injected that exact pre-recorded robotic spiel into a dystopian subway scene, the audience would’ve chuckled at such an over-dramatic representation of such an inhuman future. 

Please do not give to law-breakers?

The banks get bailed out, elected officials get bribes disguised as “campaign contributions,” and transnational corporations get exponentially more government subsidies than any alleged “welfare queen.”

But they tell us not to give to law-breakers.

If you pay taxes, that’s all you do. 

I’ve written and spoken about topics like economic inequality for decades. Outside of those who’ve been open to learning from my words and experiences, I’d just be a voice in the wilderness if I stopped there. 

But instead, I follow the lead of Matthew 25:35-40:

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

I urge you to do the same.

Every single one of us has the foundation-shaking power to stay human — to reject groupthink, to shun ego, to forgive the trespasses of those who trespass against us, and to lead by example.

What will you do today for the “least of these brothers and sisters of mine”?

While you ponder that, here’s how you can help me expand my daily work:

Helping Homeless Women (& Others) - NYC:

Please keep the support coming! If you keep doing what you do, I can keep doing what I do (and more). 

You can make a direct donation right here.

You can order items from my wishlist here.

Commit to a monthly pledge at Patreon here.

To keep things simple, click here and donate whatever feels right for you!

No matter what, please spread the word by sharing the above links far and wide! Thank you, as always, for your kind and generous support. And if you cross paths with a homeless woman or any vulnerable soul, remember to be friendly and compassionate.