Posted on 06/22/2008 10:50:07 PM PDT by Hi Heels
I live next to the church in the caretakers house. Often people show up at the church to ask for things, food, gas money, etc. Sometimes I can help, sometimes not. Often I just make them a sandwich and that's plenty.
A couple years ago I had a guy come by with a broken windshield and asked for help citing he was from another congregation in another state. We helped him and found out later he wasn't with the congregation, but it was no big deal. A couple months later he resurfaced and offered us a car. One of the single moms in the congregation could have really used the car, so we were grateful. He went with our officer down to have it smogged and left it at the garage. When we went to pick it up, the garage said he changed his mind, took the money and ran off with the car. A couple years later he showed up in a truck with an Organ in the back. Before he even started talking, I said, "um, pal? You've already taken us twice. Do you think third time's a charm?" He left.
Well, about the same time, a guy showed up asking for money to buy his daughter insulin. I gave him $10, all the cash I had at the time. I think he forgot about this incident, because he showed up again today during service.
He said he's having trouble getting his wife's high blood pressure meds. I have high blood pressure. We agreed to meet him this evening to go to the pharmacy.
He got the time wrong and showed up early, got annoyed when we were not there, more annoyed when we wouldn't give him the cash, irate when we made him transfer the RX to our drug store. When both pharmacies were found to be closed, I offered him some of my own meds for the evening and directed him to county hospital. He stated the last time he went there it took two days and blah blah blah. He got annoyed and started to raise his voice. He refused the meds I offered, the exact same kind. Then he started to get mad. Fortunately, I had a large man with me, so he had to back off.
Now, here's my problem. What's the scam? I figured he had a drug store employee that refunded the money when he returned the prescriptions a couple hours later, but the pharmacist would have to be way crooked since that's against the law. Then I thought he could sell them, but we're talking plavix and blood pressure meds containing no narcotic effects. So, whadda think? My elders and I are meeting this guy again tomorrow. All my alarm bells are going off, and my elders say I'm just cynical. It just feels wrong. I also called the local PD and they have nada on the guy. They just told me don't give him cash. I can't figure out how this guy is making money on RX that has no party value....or are people so "entitled" now that they can walk up to complete strangers worshiping in a church and DEMAND whatever they want getting annoyed because we don't appear to be helping him fast enough to suit him? Got any ideas?
“annoyed when we wouldn’t give him the cash”
DO NOT GIVE HIM CASH—probably for drugs. He’s obviously trying to scam you.
http://www.projo.com/ri/providence/content/Kluth_Sentenced_06-19-08_1UAI3IH_v51.3b229ac.html
After reading the above I am wondering why you want to know. It seems to me you only care about being charitable, so be charitable and don't concern yourself how his scam works. BTW, it only works if you allow it to.
HA! $5 won’t even get you to the next church anymore.
You’re right; I’m wrong. Best regards to you...
I don’t get this thread.
Amen.
Sometimes it’s more about YOU and where your heart is than the recipient and his or her need.
and then sometimes you are to say no so that you can be a good steward. How can you know? You can’t. You have to go ask.....:-)
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