Encouragement to give must be joined to concern for the recipient and the legitimate needs of dependents. Generosity is not an excuse for abandoning obligations to one’s household.
For instance, a family has limited food. They meet essential household needs and, where possible, set aside something for a neighbor in need. Charity, sound judgment, and goodwill then reinforce one another.
The enduring value of charity is not merely a matter of quantity; it also depends on lawful means, sincere intention, fulfilling obligations, and treating people with dignity.