EXOD497 A person who fails to give charity commits a transgression similar to idolatry. The Chofetz Chayim cites the Midrash (Yalkut, R'aih) which states that we must take care not to be remiss in our responsibilities to the poor, for failure to show mercy is equated with idolatry. How is the so? A person who keeps all of his money for himself in contradiction to the Torah's command to give charity shows that his faith rests with his money and not with God. The Chofetz Chayim adds that this concept is hinted at in our verse: "You shall not make for yourselves gods of silver and gods of gold," that is, do not make gold and silver into a god. (Ahavas Chesed, ch. 10)