Am I being unchristian if I don’t give money to people who are in front of stores asking for it? Not people asking for a charity; people who say they are homeless or need food for their children. I most often say no because I don’t believe them. But Jesus told us that what we do to the least of our brethren, we do to Him. I am turning down God when I say no?
This is an excellent question and requires a careful answer. Certainly Jesus was all for helping the poor, and there is a sense in which we have an obligation to give, whether or not the person receiving the funds does the right thing with them or not. If I see a hungry homeless person, then I will try to take them to place where I can pay for them to eat. If this is not possible, then I will give them some money. The essential issue however is my living up to my responsibility to give. The Bible says, “To whom more is given, more is required.”
—Ben Witherington III