re: #239 Obdicut

In fact, it is part of a “sacred ritual”, laws derived from the Hebrew Bible:

A person should not think: How can I reduce my wealth by giving it to the poor? He must realize that the money is not his, but rather a trust granted to him in order to carry out the will of the One who entrusted it to him. This is the portion which he will ultimately receive for all his labor in this world, as [Isaiah 58:8] states: “Your tzedakah will proceed before you.” Tzedakah wards off harsh decrees and prolongs one’s life.

2. Every person is obligated to give charity according to his potential, even a poor man who derives his livelihood from charity. If he has some money of his own which he does not invest in business, he is permitted to take charity since the principal is not invested in a manner which will allow him to live off the profits. Nevertheless, since he has a base which could provide an income, he is obligated to give tzedakah from what is being given him.

See torah.org