“You can’t help someone if they won’t help themselves”. It’s an old saying, but one that holds true even today.
Ryan Bray from Florida understands this all too well. As he walks home from work, he often encounters beggars on the street. One Sunday, he came across a man with a heartbreaking story. Determined to make a difference, Ryan decided to offer him a chance at a better life.
Instead of giving the man spare change, which wouldn’t solve his problems in the long run, Ryan had a grander plan. He offered the homeless man a job at his family business, promising to pay him $15 per hour. This opportunity could have helped him get off the streets for good.
To Ryan’s surprise, the beggar had no interest in a real job. He preferred begging on the streets, claiming he could earn more in an hour than what Ryan was offering him. This left Ryan feeling incredulous and disappointed.
Undeterred, Ryan returned home and took matters into his own hands. He created a sign and went back to the same street corner. With his sign, he publicly shamed the beggar who had rejected his offer of help.
Ryan’s sign warned others not to give money to beggars. It explained how he had tried to help the homeless man but was met with scorn. He made it clear that if the community stopped enabling them, the beggars would eventually leave the neighborhood.
The homeless man in question accused Ryan of lying and denied ever receiving an offer of employment. But Ryan stood by his actions and shared his side of the story.
Reflecting on the encounter, Ryan said, “He reached his arms inside my vehicle, resting them, and said, ‘Hey, do you have any money?’ I said, ‘No, I have something better for you.’”
Ryan’s response to the situation highlights an important lesson. Sometimes, despite our best intentions, people are not ready to accept help, no matter how genuine or life-changing it may be.
Watch the video below to learn more about Ryan’s story:
What do you think about the way Ryan Bray handled the situation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box below.
