 | Public displays of philanthropy are often frowned upon. But should we care what motivates the giver? Jesus said we should give alms in private rather than when others are watching. That fits with the commonsense idea that if people do good in public they may be motivated by a desire to gain a reputation for generosity. Perhaps when no one is looking they are not generous at all.
That thought may lead us to disdain the kind of philanthropy that leads to donors' names being prominently displayed on concert halls, art museums and college buildings. Often, names are stuck not only... |