I have to respectfully disagree with you. Had you qualified that statement with something like, "government forcing people to give to those that government considers "poor", is not so good", I could readily agree.
I'm not trying to tell you that you should give to the truly poor, just saying that I am told to by a higher source than the government, that I should do it.
I was trying to refer to the idea that being poor helps look at other values. She gave out of her poverty. The rich cannot mind God, it is easier for a Camel to pass through a needle hole. By making money the issue, we essentialy bribe the poor to, say, think about a nice car instead of caring for a trusted and loyal neighbor. There is an element of betrayal.
This is why I disagree with the Pope on that. Some people choose to be poor, pious and without sexuality because they fear more the corruption thereof. It is like telling a recovering drunk who cannot find money to buy drinks to be given the very money of his own demise.
The poor do not need alms per say but God, ie. The production of life and wealth, not the byproducts. Like He said to the samaritan, I will give you water that you will neber thirst from because it will turn you into an ever flowing fountain of water