There is a Chinese saying: giving is more blessed than receiving (施比受更有福). Is it true?  Confucius reported so.

4.6 Virtue attracts alike

子曰、德不孤、必有鄰。

The Master said, ‘Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practises it will have neighbors.’

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I would like to share a personal story of charity here.  One time, i heard of a practice of charity that one gives away the first money drawn out from the wallet, no matter the value of the note.  I decided to give a try on this.

That evening, when i was approaching the San Francisco Symphony Hall, a young homeless person appeared on the street, asking me for changes.  I opened my wallet, thinking of the exercise, and put a note. I looked at the note, it was a $10 dollar note.  Hesitated for about a second, i handed it over to him.  He was surprised, and grateful.  When i departed, my heart was filled with love and warmth.   At that moment, i was already contented with the result.  But that was only the beginning.  When i arrived the entrance of the symphony hall, a middle-age lady sensed that i was looking for ticket, approached me and gave me a complimentary ticket!  Not only that, when i get inside the concert hall, i was told that the seat is on the first row.  I watched the piano soloist perform right in front of me that evening.  I was ecstatic!

Indeed it is true.  When we give, it comes back to us ten folded and hundred folded. Confucius was right, those virtuous are not alone!