re: Homeless man given a "winning" lottery ticket.

Dammit who cut all those onions and sprayed tear gas?

That made me cry like a little kid but you know what - I'm not one bit ashamed of it. This was a fantastic act of kindness.

Personally, (and this is not a criticism just my own personal philosophy, especially when someone whose done what they perceive to be a big kindness wants to give back so badly) the only thing I'd do different is let the guy share/give back - I'd just limit it to letting the guy buy a cup coffe. I know that sounds strange but it's not about the money so much as letting the guy feel like he can return some kind of kindness and allows him to be a good/giving man in his own eyes to the person he feels helped him more than he can express - maybe more than anyone in his whole life. That scenario let's you bond and people alone on the streets do need the boost of being treated like a human because they've been treated subhuman for so long many have forgotten that they're real people. It can also help restore some pride as when people who are poor feel like they can do something kind in return and for many it helps with the guilt of feeling 'lucky' when others aren't. JMO.

I'm weird though. I also believe in no strings attached giving as true charity (which comes from the greek word for gift/grace) must always be freely given and what they do with that gift is up to them.