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There are a lot of homeless people in London. Should I give to every person I walk by? What if they then spend the money on alcohol or drugs etc?

"Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away" (Matthew 5:42). The poor and homeless are in dire circumstances and yet, through them, God provides an opportunity for those in better ones to show mercy and give alms. If they are the same people in your area, and your heart is moved towards them, then let your giving be not money but items such as clothing, cover, some food, a cold drink, etc. As our Lord teaches us, "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven" (Matthew 6:1).

If your heart is moved to give the homeless some money, then do so, while preserving their dignity in how you give. A smile, a kind word, or some signal of kindness and hope will go a long way. But if someone is giving merely to clear one's conscience, while they cannot bear to even look at the poor person with compassion, then it is better not to give. St. Paul instructed Timothy to "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life" (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

We should give wisely. If our money will be used abusively, then it is better to turn it into necessary items such as food or clothing. Also finding the poor jobs is better than giving money as it is said, giving a fish hook is better than giving a fish.

The beloved saint, Anba Abraam, became known as the "Friend of the Poor" because of his loving nature and desire to give to anyone who asked him, regardless whether they were truthful or deceitful about their circumstances. "But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, but he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of a necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor, His righteousness endures forever" (2 Corinthians 9:6-9).