Sefer Ohr L’Shomayim states that the mitzvah of giving tzedakah is so great that it can save one from death (Mishlei 10:2). He adds that it is the entranceway to avodas Hashem. But one must be careful not to be haughty about his tzedakah giving. The Medrash says (Vayikroh Rabbah 34:8) that the poor man does more for the giver than the giver does for him. In truth, the one giving the donation should thank the pauper for taking it from him.
This is seen from this pasuk. “When a kohen acquires a person” – if a person wants to acquire his own soul and rectify himself. “An acquisition through his money” – he can do this through the mitzvah of tzedakah because a person cannot serve Hashem unless he “pays for it” (Zohar, Chelek 2, 128B). One must give tzedakah in order to fix his soul and be able to serve Hashem properly.
