I had to think about this a bit from how I see things in my faith. Though, the context is similar.
Call this a sign from god, if you will to compare. I'll keep it short.
I've followed Buddhist teachings for almost five years. I've practiced two separate sects for three years all together. I was initiated as a vietnamese zen buddhist at our local temple last month. While there, during a ceremony, one of the practitioners found out through word of mouth (like everyone talks on a phone line) that I took a $26 cab ride there. All together, $60 round trip for all day ceremony. I had the money.
Long story short, after eating, one woman came to me with an envelop. She says "we [who'se we??
confused] heard you took a cab here. Here is some money to get back. She left the way she came like an angel or something. I opened the envelop it was a $50 bill. I'd thought it was say five dollars, ten at most. Fifty! I even got a ride hope so I didn't spend it.
Fast forward on the bus, I spoke with a christian bus passenger I spoke with a couple of times. I told him, what should I do with the money? I don't want to spend it. I set it under my Buddha statue and all I could say was thank you.
So he says to me (and to you) if god gives you a blessing-say a thought to give the money to the young child-don't give away that blessing. God gave that thought, that unconditional care
to you. So, there are
no reservations to extending that charity. If you saw a homeless person on the street and saw a beer in his hand, that doesn't mean he is not homeless. Charity has no reservations.
So, I would have given the girl the money because that is what god told you to do. Chistling it to $100 dollars, I'd be iffy, but I don't think god has charity requirements on how much but that you give the charity regardless. Some homeless people (and people lonely in general) just want someone to talk to. It also depends on how old the girl was. If you felt uncomfortable giving her the money, maybe give her your time instead.
But her being homeless or not doesn't invalidate god telling you to do
something for this girl.
I don't know what I will do with the money the Buddhist gave me. It's just sitting there. Who would sit with a $50 bill in front of them knowing they are flat broke?!
Yeah, signs from god (or signs in general) come daily. Our minds like to decipher
why this sign, is it a sign, let's break it apart to make it not a sign.
Keep the money just in case someone else needs it. At least a portion of it. Maybe god is telling you to give.
Listen out.