Imagine a welfare society wants to build a clinic in a poor neighbourhood and is seeking donations. A really rich guy gives a million dollars. The thought in this person's mind when he donated the money is,"When the clinic is completed, there will be a plaque with my name in the foyer. Other people will know that I'm the chief benefactor of the clinic." That is his motivation. Another person who doesn't much money gives ten dollars. But her motivation is, "It's fantastic that there will be a clinic here. May everyone who comes to this clinic be instantly cured of all their diseases and ailments. May all their injuries heal quickly. May they abide in happiness."
In this scenario, there is one person giving a million dollars with one motivation and another person giving ten dollars with a different motivation. In general society, who do we say is the generous person? The one who gives a million dollars. That person gets so much credit and everyone goes, "Look at him. He is so generous and kind." Others make a big deal out of him and completely ignore the person who gives ten dollars.
But when we examine the motivations of the donors, who is the generous one? It is the one who gave ten dollars. Was the person who gave a millions dollars generous? From the point of view of his motivation, was there any generosity? No, he was doing it for the benefit of his own ego. He did it to gain status in community. He came out looking good in people's eyes, and others thought he was generous. But in terms of the karma he created, it was not a generous action. Meanwhile, the person who did not receive others' acclaim is the generous person.

~Dealing with Life's Issues~

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