A lot of corporations and wealthy individuals today make donations to charities based not upon need, or the preferences of the corporate leaders, but on which charities will do the best job of publicizing the donation. These corporations, and sometimes individuals, often don't even care what good is being done by the donation, they just want the publicity. This attitude is becoming so common that even the average person is becoming guilty of it to some extent. If a charity is going to list us as a donor in some publication, or post something on our Facebook profile, we are more likely to donate to them than to a charity that may actual do a better job of helping the needy, but does nothing to publicize donors.

    Another variation of this is the charities who promise to give us something for our donations. Donate $20 or more to this one and get a tote bag. Donate $25 or more to another one and get a t-shirt. Donate $100 and get a free DVD. This is really just the same thing which is the idea that if we give, we should get something back.

    While it is true that those of us who are generous and help others in need will be rewarded and helped when we need it, doing good with the expectation of getting a reward for it is the wrong attitude and, to some degree, nullifies the good karma of helping others. It's kind of like a shotgun wedding which really isn't a wedding at all because someone is being forced into it. A person with the proper spiritual attitude gives to those in need with no expectation of any kind or reward or publicity to boost his ego. The spiritual person helps others because she knows that we are all one and it is the right thing to do. Likewise, the spiritual person serves God because he knows it is the right thing to do and not because of an expectation of a reward or a fear of punishment. It's not like a job where you get a wage based on how long you work or how much work you do. If God rewards you, it is His choice, and you should do His work anyway.