I Am Tired Of The Rudeness Cruelty Thoughtlessness Of People

It's hard for me to condemn anybody, but I'm exhausted with my own empathy. Today, 2 regulars at the bar I work for couldn't pay their full bills- but kept drinking, knowing that they couldn't pay. One *could* pay, but said it was his last bit of money and could he only pay part and then pay more in the next few days.

I relented, but now he owes me $20. The other guy, his bill was $29.50 and his card kept being declined. He finally admitted that he was supposed to get paid today but realized he wouldn't get paid until Monday. I decided to pay for them both, hoping they pay me back. I did lay into the second guy a bit, explaining that it was risking my job in the long term and that even though I, too, have bills to pay- I would rather take on the sum than get 'written up' (a disciplinary action that could lead to being fired if I had enough of them).

I can't help but feel weak, or taken advantage of, but I guess these guys just have problems and can't stop when they know they need to. I'm not sure where to draw the line and protect myself. What's professional, what's decent?