A co-worker and friend of mine has been having financial problems. He has asked me for money several times and I have tried to help him in any way that I could including giving him money. If I refuse to lend him money again since he started reporting off from work, is this a sin on my part? I know that Jesus said to help the poor but what about someone who does not want to help himself?
Answer
“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” (Luke 6:35) Note that he says “lend,” not “give.”
“Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.” (Matthew 25:37-40)
This last, though, would be about those who are truly in need. It is good to give to the truly needy, because that is what we are supposed to be about. However, the situation you describe may have one other scripture apply, as well.
“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10)
If a person can work, and refuses to, then it is actually doing a disservice to give to him. It is only those that are truly in need that we should give to.