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SUMMARY
1. One should not audit reliable charity collectors.
2. There is a dispute about whether we investigate people who ask for charity to ascertain if they indeed are needy.
3. One who causes a person to do a Mitzvah is greater than the person who actually does the Mitzvah.
4. The Gemara extols the greatness of the Mitzvah of charity.
5. The Gemara discusses the importance of the smallest donation to charity.
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A BIT MORE
1. We learn this from the Book of Melachim. The people who were in charge of collecting money for the Beis ha'Mikdash were not audited to see exactly how much money was collected and exactly how it was spent.
2. Rav Huna: We check only when they say they need food, but not when they say they need clothes (and they clearly need clothes). Rav Yehudah: We check when they need clothes, but not when they need food.
3. Accordingly, one who induces others to give charity is greater than one who gives himself.
4. It is equal to all of the Mitzvos and causes peace in the kingdom.
5. It is compared to a suit of armor that is made up of many small pieces of metal. Each piece, albeit small, is important and contributes to the fact that the suit protects its wearer.
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