Yes. It is the same. It would be better however, to give him the money and let him pay his own bills. That way, there is no question.
At the very least, bartering is an accepted practice. You, for all intents and purposes, exchanged paying his bill for his labor.
Topic 420 - Bartering Income
Bartering is the exchange of goods or services. The term doesn't include arrangements that provide solely for the informal exchange of similar services on a noncommercial basis. Usually there's no exchange of cash. An example of bartering is a plumber exchanging plumbing services for the dental services of a dentist.
