Rabbi Chanina would regularly send four zuzim to a certain poor person
on the eve of every Sabbath.
One day, he sent the money with his wife.
When she returned she said
"The person does not need the money."
[Rabbi Chanina asked] "What did you see?"
"I heard him being asked whether he wanted his table set with gold or
the silver linens."
[Rabbi Chanina replied] "Rabbi Elauzer says: 'be thankful for frauds
for without them we would be sinners every day. As it is said (Deuteronomy 15:9)
"[if you don't give to your needy brother] he will
complain about you to God and there will be within you sin."'" (Op cit
67b)
