Dave Proves The Impacts Of Cash (User Generated Content)

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A husband and a wife were discussing the practice of giving stipulation-free cash payments as a form of homeless assistance to those in need. The wife asked her husband if he was concerned that people might use the cash to buy drugs or alcohol. Her husband recognized this as a common argument against basic income initiatives but responded thoughtfully. 

"To be honest, it's not my concern what someone does with the money. I'm doing what God has put on my heart to do. I feel like if I can give someone cash, then it puts the ball in their court. It allows them to decide what's important to them at that moment. Everyone has different priorities, but what are theirs?" 

For example, let's say there is a man named Dave who struggles with alcohol and has lost his job due to his drinking. He’s separated from his wife, Jan, and lives in a homeless shelter, while Jan stays with her parents along with their 10-year-old son, DJ. Dave tries to visit DJ weekly, but sometimes he misses these visits because of his drinking. Jan and her parents are aware of Dave's struggles, but they have come to expect this behavior from him. 

During a recent visit, Jan mentioned that DJ had a school dance coming up and needed a tuxedo, which she shared to highlight the family milestones Dave was missing due to his addiction. 

One day, after leaving lunch at a soup kitchen, Dave headed to a busy intersection to ask motorists for "anything they could spare." He hoped to collect enough cash payments to buy two beers to kickstart his afternoon. As he walked, he noticed a commotion in a fast-food restaurant parking lot, where people were excitedly gathering around a man named Juan, who was handing out white envelopes. 

Curious, Dave approached the scene and learned that Juan had been giving away money. Despite feeling dejected for missing out, he decided to approach Juan's large truck. "Excuse me, Bro, I didn’t get any money. You were handing out envelopes, right?" 

Juan smiled at Dave and mentioned he was almost out of cash but checked his bag anyway. To Dave's surprise, Juan found one last envelope and handed it to him. After exchanging words of gratitude, Dave quickly opened the envelope to find two $20 bills and a $10 bill. He stuffed the envelope into his pocket and headed in the opposite direction of the intersection. 

Arriving at the convenience store where he usually bought his beers, the clerk noticed the difference in Dave’s demeanor. Instead of the usual crumpled bills, Dave handed over a crisp $10 bill from the white envelope. The clerk, surprised, joked about Dave being a rich man today. 

But Dave thought about his situation: "What would I do with a case of beer? I'm living at the shelter without a refrigerator. Ironic! I don't have a fridge because I have a drinking problem!" He shook his head and replied, "Don’t worry about it, Ameer. I'm good. I’ve got something to do." 

That something was the thought of attending DJ’s first school dance. The idea of spending that $50 on alcohol felt wrong to him, as he recognized that what he did with this unexpected cash payment could be a pivotal moment in his life. 

Unexpectedly, Dave went to his in-laws' house that evening. When Jan saw him, she anticipated he might have been drinking and approached with caution. He extended his hand, offering the $50. "What is this?" she asked, taken aback. 

"That’s $50," Dave replied. "Look, you and DJ told me about the school dance. I know I haven’t been the best husband or father, but I'm trying to do the right thing today." Jan accepted the money, and for the first time in months, she felt proud of Dave. 

Later, he had dinner with Jan and DJ at her parents' house. After dinner, it was past curfew at the shelter, so his in-laws allowed him to sleep on the couch. The next day, Jan dropped him off at the shelter, looking him in the eyes and saying, "Yesterday was a good day. We enjoyed your company. I’m proud of you." 

Dave felt tears welling up at her words. Jan added, "As long as you’re sober, we’re glad to have you over anytime. You don’t have to wait until you have money."