The Stingy Thief

There was once a wealthy chassid who was very stingy. When he was approached to give charity, he said that he felt exempt from contributing, since the pauper in question was unworthy of it.

When Rav Zev Wolf of Strikov heard this, he said, "A stingy person is one thing, but a thief as well?"

"What theft? What are you talking about?" asked the astonished miser.

"It is simple," explained the Strikover. "It says in the pasuk, 'Do not steal from a pauper for he is poor.' If you do not wish to give charity, then do not give. But to challenge the pauper's standing and say he is unworthy of charity? You are saying he is unworthy of the status of a pauper. And so you are actually stealing from him his right to accept charity."