An interesting thing I once learned about Tzedakah. If someone asked for money it is our job to give him (if we can), but not our job to judge whether or not he is in real need of the money. If we give him money that he doesn't deserve ("smoke and fress papittos for 10 months of the year") then it is up to Hashem to take away that money. We don't need to play G-d and judge who is legit or not.
Halachikly you may not be allowed to give money to collectors at your door. As per the above mentioned halachas of who you should give masar to first. I know major communities where the rav assured giving mishulachim as the needs of your own community come first, and there are still poor and hungry people in their city.
Also I know for sure there is no halachik obligation to give to someone who comes to your door.
That's what the passuk says. What about ppl who do shiluach hakein and die?
There is a famous story of a person who's parents sent him up a ladder to send away the mother bird, the son fell and died. the simple explanation was those are 2 mitzvos that guarantee long life in the world to come...
@Jukahk88 And if they didn't give masar maybe they would be even poorer, success is obviously relative.
