Brother Begging

Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (Isaiah 58:7)

And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. (Genesis 19:14)

Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh. (Judges 9:2)

Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards. (Nehemiah 5:5)

The Lord is appealing to his people that they take care of the poor among them. He reminds them that these are people who are their relatives, although perhaps distant, they are their own flesh. When we see someone who is at least ostensibly (seems to be) in need it is so tempting to hide from them as much as we can. We walk on the other side of the road, we avert our eyes. We know that if we do not take these precautions, either we will weaken and give money or feel even worse about not giving.
I believe in cautious giving, giving money where it is really needed. But when I think about it, would it be such a great burden to give a dollar even if it is every day? It would be a small price for the spiritual blessing I would receive from giving.
For me to hide my face from a beggar hurts me both mentally and spiritually. What about in places where there are more beggars than the sands of the sea? Probably better to be giving to or helping in a place that teaches people in those places because eventually you will have to turn someone away. But here in Australia, where there are ten or twenty beggars in the inner city and that is all, I probably ought to give a little even if it is just to save my own soul from a slow and painful death.
What if they were my relatives or close friends, my own flesh? Would I hide myself then?