DEUT656 The Sefer Hachinuch lays down that the trait of niggardliness sets up an iron barrier between the person and the blessing that should come to him. He also removes himself from Heavenly compassion, according to Chazal's interpretation (Shabbath 151b) of [this] verse: "'And He shall give you mercy and have compassion on you and multiply you.' He who is merciful to others, mercy is shown to him by Heaven; while he who is not merciful to others, mercy is not shown to him by Heaven."