Catholicism: How to treat beggars?
Modern society is so much different than centuries gone by.
Giving money to the less fortunate of society is fine, but one must be cautious about doing so. We do not want to enable them in their addictions if they have some: drugs, alcohol or to a lesser degree smoking.
We should always pray for the poor and the hungry and it is for this very intention that we should remember them when we say grace at meal time.
If we are aware of a place where they can get a meal, we could direct them where to go.
I know people that carry business cards, in order to indicate possible places where they can find some work, at least temporarily. These individuals will actually take a genuine interest in beggars.
The chancery of our local archbishop hands out meal tickets or coupons for a free meal at neighboring fast food outlets like McDonalds. No one is turned away empty handed.
I know of several priests that will make sandwiches for beggars who knock at their rectory doors.
Society is truly so different than days gone by so let us clearly pray for the less fortune every day and at least recite an Our Father for their intentions as well as invoking their patron saints for them daily.
"Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.'" - Matthew 6:9-13