The Table Spread - 5:12
"Allah had taken a promise from the Children of Israel and We sent twelve leaders from among them. Allah said: "I am with you if you observe the prayer, pay the zakat, believe in My messengers and respect them, and lend to Allah a good debt. I will cover your sins and give you gardens in which rivers flow. So whoever of you disbelieves after that has gone astray from the right path."
The importance of zakat:
The Cattle/6:16
Whoever is turned away from torment on that Day, (God) has mercy on him. That is the greatest victory.
The Heights/7:156
"Write for us good in this world and in the Hereafter. We turn to you."He said: "My punishment will touch whom I will. But My Mercy is all-encompassing; I will write it especially for those who lead a righteous life, pay the zakat and believe in Our verses."
The Romans/30:39
The usury money which you give to increase in the wealth of the people does not increase with Allah. But as for the zakat which you give seeking Allah´s Pleasure, those who give it multiply their investment.
The Hypocrites/63:10
"Give out of what We have provided for charity before death comes to you and you say, "My Lord, if only You would postpone me for a short time so that I may be of the righteous by helping the poor"."