Homeless people

There is an inner conflict that comes for many people who try to follow Christ when they see someone on the street asking for money.  How can we know if they really need the help?  Many people are professional beggars and actually live in nice houses.  If they are destitute, how do we know they will use the money to help themselves instead of on alcohol or other destructive and addicting substances?  Christ set an example of helping those in need, but he was able to see a person's heart.  We cannot always do so.

It appears that there was a similar problem of people trying to live off others' generosity in Thessalonica among the early Christians.  Paul, in his second epistle to the Thessalonians, mentioned that he had heard that some there were not working at all.  He directs the true followers of Christ that 'if any would not work, neither should he eat' (2 Thes 3:10).  Here is our guide: we should always try to support ourselves to the best of our ability.  We should work for our bread.

This is a familiar idea, but what of giving to those who maybe aren't working?  Does this mean we should leave them out in the cold?  Paul goes on to say this:

"For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
"But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing." (verses 11-13) 

 That last line gives us the direction we have been seeking: "be not weary in well doing."  God wants us to give without regard to whether we are giving too much.  We do not know the heart because we are not called to be the judges of the heart.  We know what we are required to do and we teach it, but we do not pass final judgement.  We can know that God will consecrate our efforts if we give with the intent to do good.