EXOD709 Lend money to the poor according to their needs, in order to assist them and ease their suffering. This is a greater mitzvah then giving tzedakah, for someone who has not yet received tzedakah is more embarrassed to accept it than someone who has accepted it in the past. Quite possibly, a small monetary loan will help the poor person to avoid having to accept tzedakah. Hashem wants us, His creations, to become accustomed to behaving with mercy and kindness towards one another. If we cultivate these traits we become worthy of His blessings and His ever-present desire to bestow good upon us will be fulfilled. Hashem certainly possesses ample wherewithal to supply all the world's poor with their every need, but out of His great kindness He allows us His creatures, to act as His messengers and thereby merit His abundant blessings. Another reason for the mitzvah is as follows: Hashem wants the poor person to receive his livelihood from other human beings so that he suffers embarrassment, which atones for his sins--as does his having to suffice with a meager livelihood. Our Sages give us many warnings regarding this mitzvah. They say that if someone has money and refrains from lending it to the needy, he is disdained by Heaven. Hashem pushes him away, for He regards him as an abomination, and the revulsion that he causes is akin to that caused by idle worship. On the other hand, he who grabs hold of this mitzvah is beloved and pleasing to Hashem, so He shows mercy towards him and showers him with many blessings.