If my family is truly in need, I have no qualms about helping them out. I have given my brother money knowing full well I will never get it back... but I have my limits. My brother asked me for $50 one week and because he told me he would be late on his rent, I gave him the money... when he took that $50 and went out to the store and bought a carton of smokes with it I was less than enthused.
Almost ten years ago, I dated a woman whose family kept borrowing, pleading, and taking her money for years... and during that time the family bought a large screen TV, a new tractor and a bunch of other fun stuff... but oddly enough never had money to pay the rent, or gas, or electric. After we split up, she eventually she moved back in with her family and started "contributing to all the bills". It was a very sad situation to watch unfold.