"It is a Mitzvah to give tzedakah with kindheartedness and joy, as Scripture writes (Devarim 15:8), "You shall surely open your hand to him." We need to be more conscientious with the Mitzvah of tzedakah than any other Mitzvah because giving tzedakah is a sign of a tzakid, a descendant of Avraham Avinu! As the verse writes regarding Avraham Avinu (Bereisheit 18:19), "For I have loved him, because he will charge his children...to give tzedakah." Quote from"Sefer Chareidim," written by Rabbi Elazar Azcari, of Blessed Memory.
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How to Awaken Divine Compassion \ King David
After King David sinned with Bat Shevah, Natan, the Prophet, came to him and rebuked him very sternly and very harshly. Amongst other fiery words, the Prophet said (2 Shmuel 12:10), "The sword shall not cease from your house forever, because you have scorned Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be a wife unto you."
However, King David humbly responded, "I have sinned to HaShem." At which point, the Prophet declared, "So too, Hashem has forgiven your sin, you will not die."
What is the secret of the words, "I have sinned to HaShem"? King David could have defended himself by saying that, technically, Bat Shevah was not Uriah's wife (because it was the practice of King David's army for each soldier to divorce his wife before going into battle). He could have also claimed that Uriah rebelled against the kingship by refusing to comply with King David's command, and therefore was liable the death penalty.
However, King David did not make any excuses for his misconduct. He immediately admitted his sin. As soon as he took responsibility for his iniquity, without making any excuses for his conduct, HaShem forgave him.
Whereas, if a person makes excuses for his misconduct, it is likely that he will repeat the negative behavior. Since he does not admit to any wrongdoing, HaShem will have no other choice than to deal with him severely.
We learn an invaluable lesson from King David and his admission, "I have sinned to HaShem." As soon as a person admits his wrongdoing, HaShem will immediately grant His forgiveness. Since he doesn't hide behind his "excuses," he will not be prone to repeat his misbehavior. Therefore, HaShem will show him mercy and wash away all the impurity of his sin.
Let us internalize this profound lesson and not act "defensively" when a friend confronts us for our wrongdoing. Instead, we will say, "I have sinned to HaShem." This admission will awaken HaShem's compassion, and He will graciously pardon our misconduct.
(Based on the teachings of R' BZ Miller)
