The best charity is what is given out of surplus wealth, and begin with those whom you support.
حدثنا سفيان عن أبي الزناد عن الأعرج
أفضل الصدقة ما كان يعني عن ظهر غنى وابدأ بمن تعول
Its isnad is sahih. Its apparent form suggests it is stopped at Abu Hurairah. Perhaps Sufyan was also uncertain about its being raised to the Prophet. But in reality it is raised and firmly established as such. Its meaning has already appeared within hadith 7155, and we pointed this out there. That is why Imam Ahmad included it among his marfu narrations.