老师好，在大街上总是遇到乞丐，无法判断是真是假，不知该不该布施，请您指导。

Venerable Master, I come across beggars inthe streets very often, but can’t tell if theyare fake or not. I wonder if I should give them alms. Would you please give meyour guidance?        

请讲。

 Goahead.

昨天我看到一个中年妇女在红绿灯路口要钱，我给了她，但下一个路口还有一个在要钱，我迷茫了，不知道这是在积善还是在助长别人的恶业？

Yesterday, I saw a middle-aged woman askingfor money at an intersection, and then I gave her some. But at the nextintersection, there was another one asking for money. I was at a loss, notknowing whether I was accumulating merits or encouraging others’ evil karma.         

布施是为了破除我们自己的悭吝之心。

Giving alms is to eliminate one’s ownstinginess.