When the impulse to help might hurt

A few weeks ago, near the end of the Lunar New Year holiday, my wife and I were lurching home on the Beijing subway after a day of sightseeing. Few passengers were aboard, as many residents had fled the city to visit family elsewhere.

That made it easy to see the two urchins - a boy of perhaps 8 years, accompanied by a girl of maybe 10 who looked like his sister - working their way through the carriage toward us, begging for money. The girl clutched a stack of bills in one hand, maybe 40 yuan ($6.45). Always a pushover, I added to her collection.

I often donate to beggars, even though I'm told many don't need help. Sternly worded admonitions from friends ring in my ears: Professional beggars are rich. They have cars and nice houses. They work for criminal gangs. Don't give them money.