Should we give no matter what?

We were driving along Recto St. and when the car pulled to a stop a group of native people dressed in a dirty old clothes approached us and each and every cars on the street to asked for alms. With them were little children and sometimes infants. I didn't know how they survived the heat of the sun. I was always hesitant if I met these people. Should I give them some penny or not? The question kept battling on my mind.
The Parish Priest had said in one of his sermon, " We must help other people especially the least of our brothers and sisters because it can make the Lord happy." While I was reminiscing my childhood days, I remembered my mother telling me to be helpful all the time. My grade school teachers too stressed that being generous was one of God's virtue therefore we should follow. But for government authorities, giving alms to beggars on streets is a "no" "no". Because it can result to more traffic and possible accidents. Therefore, beggars and the one who give will be arrested.
But, supposedly we are allowed to give them alms. How would we know the money we gave them will be used in the right way. I've heard a lot of story about beggars who just asked for the sake of their vices. Some used it to buy alcohol, some for drugs, some for gambling. We can never tell. But whether they used it in the right way or not, do we have the right to ignore them in the eyes of our God? Do we need to know the reason behind their begging before we decide to give or not to give them? What do you think?


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