Have you ever been stopped at a red light and seen someone holding a sign that reads “Anything helps”? Or maybe you’ve been asked for spare change outside a grocery store?

Most of us have. And if we’re honest, we often fumble for an excuse: I don’t have any cash, I don’t know what they’ll do with it, or even I wish I could help, but…

Consider this: what if you always had five dollars ready? What if you made it a habit to carry a five-dollar bill, separate from your everyday money, just for giving? And what if you replaced it every time you used it—so there was always another five dollars waiting for its purpose?

This simple habit doesn’t just help someone in need. It changes you, too.

Why Five Dollars?

Imagine being hungry and having no money for food. Five dollars could mean the difference between skipping another meal and having something warm to eat.

Five dollars is more than just pocket change. It’s enough to buy a meal, a cup of coffee, or serve as bus fare. It’s enough to provide someone with something tangible that says, I see you. You matter.

Of course, it’s not about the exact amount. The point is to give something meaningful that goes beyond a few coins tossed into a cup. A five-dollar bill represents a small, intentional sacrifice.

When you give it, you replenish it because another person will always be waiting—not just for money but for kindness, dignity, and hope.

A Meal, a Drink, a Moment of Dignity

Jesus understood the power of feeding people. He didn’t just preach about love—He showed it through simple, tangible acts. He broke bread with sinners, multiplied loaves and fish for thousands, and shared meals with others who were ignored.

Pope Francis reminds us:

More Than Just Money: The Power of Being Present

We often think of generosity in terms of money, but faithful giving starts with presence.

When you hand someone a five-dollar bill, look them in the eye. Ask for their name. Smile.

Too often, people who are struggling—especially those experiencing homelessness—feel invisible. They’re ignored, avoided, and treated as if they don’t exist.

But Jesus never ignored people. He saw them. He stopped. He healed. He spoke to them with love.

Keeping five dollars on hand is a way of imitating his presence. It’s not just about giving money—it’s about providing dignity. It’s a way of saying, I see you. I care.

What If They Use It for Something Else?

This is a common hesitation. What if they buy something I would disapprove of?

The truth? Once we give, it’s not ours to control.

Jesus didn’t set conditions for his generosity. He didn’t heal people and say, “But only if you use your second chance wisely.” He loved.

If someone misuses our gift, that’s between them and God. But if we refuse to give because we fear what might happen, we’ve lost an opportunity to reflect Christ’s love.

If it still concerns you, you can offer the five dollars directly for food or a drink:

• Would you like me to grab you a sandwich?

• Can I get you a coffee?

• There’s a diner around the corner—want to grab something to eat?

But even if you hand them the money, you’ve done something good. You’ve recognized their humanity.

A Habit That Adds Up

At first, five dollars doesn’t seem like much. But over time, the habit changes you.

Five dollars a week is $260 annually—enough to provide meals for dozens of people.

Five dollars a day? That’s over $1,800 a year—a significant amount of kindness, given one moment at a time.

But the real change happens in your heart.

• You become more aware of those in need.

• You start to notice people instead of walking past them.

• You stop seeing generosity as a burden and start seeing it as a privilege.

And that is what Christ calls us to do—to be present, generous, and loving.

A Simple Challenge

Here’s a challenge: Set aside a five-dollar bill today. Keep it in a separate part of your wallet or purse, away from your spending money.

Then wait.

The right moment will come.

And when you give it? Replace it. Let generosity become your habit.

The world needs more people who are present, who see others, and who give freely, without hesitation or judgment.

And that starts with something as small as five dollars at a time.

Let us pray. Lord, open my eyes to those in need. Help me be present, as You were present—to listen, share, and love in small but meaningful ways. May I always have something to give. Amen.