Charity and Responsibility
An integral piece of being a Christian is charity (rendered as love in ASV, NKJV, etc.). Indeed, providing for those in need is extolled to a great degree many times in Scripture. Jesus said that in feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick and imprisoned, it's as if we are doing so for Him (Matt. 25:34-40). He continues by saying that not doing these things is equivalent to not doing them for Him and prescribes everlasting punishment for such inaction (vv. 41-46). Scripture elsewhere also emphasizes that praying for the needy is not enough, nor is merely wishing someone well while they are tossed about in dire straits.
If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit (James 2:15-16)?
Words alone do not substantiate faith; faith is shown by works (v. 18). Bear in mind that God does not answer prayers by a miracle in this present age. In answering the prayers of such a destitute brother or sister, the relief you and I can provide may very well be God Almighty's providential response to these prayers.
We can't solve every person's material problems. Scripture provides an order of precedence for the direction of our charity. "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27). Why orphans and widows? Still today, but especially in the days of yore, they represent the most vulnerable of society: 1) children without parents to raise, guide, and protect them, and 2) wives who have lost their husbands and cannot provide for themselves. Those who cannot help themselves, particularly through no fault of their own, are clearly the most deserving of our help (1 Tim. 5:3-5, 16).
Implicit in the precedence described above is the idea that those who are capable of helping themselves should endeavor to do so; moreover, "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" (2 The. 3:10b). This sentiment is expressed also by Solomon: "Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house, lest he become weary of you and hate you" (Pro. 25:17). When taken at face value, the meaning of that statement is obviously, "Don't overstay your welcome." More broadly, however, it means not to over-impose upon your friends and family, not merely with regard to setting foot in their house. It certainly is not wrong to lean on them and the church in times of need; in fact, there are many who don't seek or accept help when they should.
But if we pester our neighbor for help every time trouble rears its head, especially if it's trouble of our own making and/or something we can handle ourselves, then we are not behaving in a Christian manner. Paul has another scathing rebuke for the sort of person that is capable yet chooses not to engage that capability: "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Tim. 5:8). The subject is a hypothetical family member not taking care of his family, but the principle applies to us all. If we do not shoulder personal responsibility where we can and should, we sin.
Faith without works is dead, and among the best works we can perform is helping the helpless. If we are blessed with enough physical and spiritual health to take up daily our cross, then this merits the utmost gratitude to God. Being so blessed, if we see a brother, sister, or sometimes even one outside the church that is genuinely struggling to take care of their own, then we are obligated to shoulder some of their burden (Gal. 6:2-5, 9-10). We are likewise obligated to rebuke them that knowingly lay aside their own burden yet expect others to pick up their slack (Gal. 6:1; 2 The. 3:10-12).