Charity Wars

There was a chassid who, whenever he was approached with the request for a donation for charity, would stick his hand into his pocket and take out a few coins. Then, with a hastily mumbled  “just a minute . . . ,” he would again dig into his pocket and come up with another few coins.

Someone who noticed his custom once asked him: “Why do you always give in two installments? Could you not take out the full sum you want to give at once?”

“Every act of charity is a victory over our selfish nature,” replied the chassid. “I just can’t resist the opportunity to score two victories for the price of one . . .”