Small tidbits and Sparks of wisdom

The Gemara (בבא בתרא ט:) tells us, “Tzedakah is greater than all of the Korbanos (offerings), and through it one merits righteous children.” The Rambam (הלכות מתנות עניים, פרק י’) writes that one must be more careful with the mitzvah of tzedakah than any other positive commandment.
Hashem promises that whoever gives maaser will merit great wealth and eternal blessings. The Mishnah (אבות ד:א) teaches: “Who is rich? One who is happy with his lot.” The mitzvah of giving maaser is conducive to raising the person to a level where he is satisfied with what he has.
However, by giving maaser, one definitely can become wealthy in the literal sense as well. The Rebbe Reb Zusha explains (עיין מאור עינים סוף פ’ ואתחנן) that when a person gives maaser, he demonstrates that he believes that it is Hashem Who is supporting him, and not his wealth. On the other hand, when a person does not give maaser, he makes a statement that he believes that it is his money that supports him and that is why it is hard for him to part with his money. When a person trusts in Hashem to support him, he definitely is blessed with the opportunity to earn endless wealth, whereas when a person places his trust in his money, his wealth and livelihood will be limited.
The Kedushas Levi (פרשת ראה) says similarly that when a person separates part of his wealth and designates it for tzedakah, he not only sanctifies the actual funds earmarked for tzedakah, but he also elevates the status of the money left over for himself. Before taking maaser, the money was merely his money, the product of his toil and effort. By separating a charitable portion for Hashem, he demonstrates that everything is a present from Hashem, and that even the money which remains for his personal use is truly a gift from Hashem.
Although there are many situations in which one is exempt from giving maaser, the Steipler Gaon taught that he is still advised to give maaser, for three reasons. First, it will train the entire family in the importance of giving maaser. Second, tithing his money will spare him from having to spend on other areas, such as doctors. As the Midrash says, “A door which does not open for the poor opens for doctors.” Third, one never loses from giving maaser in any event. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah 331:146) teaches: “No one ever became poor from giving tzedakah. Nothing bad has ever occurred as a result.”
Rav Chaim Volozhiner zt”l was careful to give a tenth (perhaps even a fifth) of his money to charity. Once, he was uncertain whether he had fulfilled his obligation. He decided to be lenient with himself at that time and not give again immediately.
Shortly afterward, the family’s bucket fell into the well. When they attempted to retrieve it with an axe, the axe also fell in. Rav Chaim calculated the total loss and realized that it was exactly the amount about which he had been in doubt regarding maaser. He immediately gave that amount to tzedakah. Shortly afterward, the bucket and the axe were retrieved from the well.
We see that refraining from giving maaser only results in money being lost in other ways.

First, it will train the entire family in the importance of giving maaser.

Second, tithing his money will spare him from having to spend on other areas, such as doctors. As the Midrash says, “A door which does not open for the poor opens for doctors.”

Third, one never loses from giving maaser in any event.

*The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah 331:146) teaches: “No one ever became poor from giving tzedakah. Nothing bad has ever occurred as a result.”

Rav Chaim Volozhiner zt”l was careful to give a tenth (perhaps even a fifth) of his money to charity. Once, he was uncertain whether he had fulfilled his obligation. He decided to be lenient with himself at that time and not give again immediately.
Shortly afterward, the family’s bucket fell into the well. When they attempted to retrieve it with an axe, the axe also fell in. Rav Chaim calculated the total loss and realized that it was exactly the amount about which he had been in doubt regarding maaser. He immediately gave that amount to tzedakah. Shortly afterward, the bucket and the axe were retrieved from the well.
We see that refraining from giving maaser only results in money being lost in other ways.

Rema ( Yore Deah 331:146) is puzzled by the fact that Shulchan Aruch makes no mention of the halachos of separating master. Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt’l  commented that since there is no section of the Shulchan Aruch exclusively devoted to these, it’s difficult to render clear ruling on the subject.