Giving as God has Given
Scripture teaches us that we need to think carefully about both how we give and our need to give.
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. On the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whosoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality to Jerusalem. And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.
1 Corinthians 16: 1-4
This description of charity in early Church has two interesting features. Clearly Paul expects his listeners to give according to their means - or better according to how God has given to them. Paul knows that what we have is not really ours at all.
Paul also knows that care and attention must be paid to how these alms are distributed so he asks people to think carefully about who they will entrust with the important job of taking the alms to Jerusalem. This same thought is found in Maimonides and clearly reflects an important Jewish awareness of both the need to give and the hazards of giving charity thoughtlessly.