Give Once More for Hashem's Sake
After giving a pauper a gold coin out of pity, Rav Menachem Mendel called him back to give another, this time purely for the mitzvah.
Chassidim relate that Rav Menachem Mendel sat learning one day with his talmidim when a ragged pauper entered the bais medrash. The man was a pitiful sight, and the Rebbe's heart went out to him. He sent his gabbai to the next room for a gold dinar and gave it to him. The pauper thanked him with great joy and left.
Afterward the Rebbe was troubled. He had given out of compassion, because his heart was moved, and he wanted to give for the sake of the mitzvah itself, for the sake of Hashem. He sent his attendant to bring the man back.
The pauper heard footsteps behind him and froze. He was sure that the Rebbe had given the gold coin by mistake and that the gabbai had come to exchange it for a silver one. Sadly he turned back.
When he returned, the Rebbe sent the gabbai for the wallet once more and handed him a second gold coin. The pauper, astonished, asked why the Rebbe had not given both at once and spared him such a fright.
The Rebbe smiled. In Parshas Re'eh the Torah says noson titein, you shall surely give, and then adds that your heart should not be evil when you give. The first gift, he explained, comes from the feeling in your heart. Therefore give again, and this time give purely because Hashem commanded tzedakah.
Source: Anaf Etz Avos, p. 183
The next time you give tzedakah because someone's need touched your heart, pause afterward and give one more coin or one more dollar, with the specific thought that you are doing it because Hashem commanded it. Do this once this week, even if the amount is small. You will feel a quiet shift, from helping because you feel moved to giving because you are being faithful. Both are good, and together they make a gift that is whole.