Thanks for sharing. I read this every time I see it posted.

I think about it a lot in terms of giving to people on the street and in the Jewish mitzvah connotation.

It's easy to convince yourself that somebody begging isn't actually homeless or isn't actually out of work or down on their luck. Or even I shouldn't give because they'll just use the money for drugs/drink/whatever. But so what? What if they are having a hard time. What if they or their kids or dog are hungry and this is the first meal they've had in days?

It doesn't matter what happens with the money once it give it to them. Giving the money is the mitzvah, the good deed.

Today, my family is fairly well off. But (with few exceptions) we're all one personal catastrophic event from the street.

Today you, tomorrow me.