Everyone is faced, from time to time, with the petitions of the beggars. It is often difficult to know what to do in these varied circumstances. What if he is a drunk and is just going to use this money to buy alcohol? What if he has track marks on his arm suggesting the abuse of harmful drugs? Well, Benjamin has an answer for everyone of those situations—his advice, do not turn him out to perish. On the other hand, Benjamin never required that the petition be granted with money. If the drunk says he wants the money for food, take him to a restaurant and buy him a meal. If the addict says he needs money for shelter, find and pay for his shelter for the night. If the sign says, "will work for food," put him to the test.
The problem with dealing with these many, varied circumstances is that they never seem to come at convenient times. It is likely that the priest and the Levite in the parable of the good Samaritan were actually in a hurry to get somewhere and do something.
Joseph F. Smith
"We have always managed to give something to the poor, and refuse no one who asks for food. I believe this is the general sentiment and character of the Latter-day Saints. I think all the Mormon people are kindly disposed, and are generous toward the poor and unfortunate, and that there is not a Latter-day Saint under the sound of my voice or anywhere that would not divide his portion with his fellow creature in case of need….
"I have seen men go away from my door with good bread and butter in their hands (good enough for any king to eat, for my folks make good bread and good butter, as good as I ever ate on earth) and when out of the gate they have thrown it into the street. It was not food they wanted. They wanted money. For what? That they might go to some gambling [hall] or to some drinking saloon. Of course they are responsible for that. We can only judge by appearances and by the promptings of the good spirit within us; and it is better to give to a dozen that are unworthy than to turn away empty one worthy person." (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, Pr/RS Manual, p. 194)