Giving to organizations is easy. When individuals have needs, it can be more difficult to discern what to do. We can be hardened by the many who are not sincere, who are swindlers or con artists. Yet some people do have legitimate needs. We need to rely on guidance from the Holy Spirit to tell the difference.
I recently sensed—I think—the prompting of the Spirit to give financial assistance to person requesting help. Was I ripped off? I’m not sure. It’s sometimes hard to discern legitimate need. But my thought is that it’s better to be generous and be occasionally cheated, than to be stingy and miss the opportunity to bless others.
Two things help guide me. One is Jesus saying “Give to everyone who asks,” so I don’t think you can ever ignore a request of any kind. But there is also the episode with Peter and John and the lame man — “What I have, I give to you — stand up and walk.” We always have to give something, but it is our real treasure, which is sometimes our money and sometimes what people think they want.