Giving is bad? No. Sharing is good (sutra)

John Ireland (trans.), Itivittutaka, § 26. Giving (Iti 1.26; Iti 18) [suttareadings.net], accesstoinsight.org edited by Dhr. Seven, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Dana is charitable giving, sharing.

"This was said by the Buddha... Meditators, if beings knew, as I know, the result of giving and sharing, they would not eat without having given nor would they allow the stain of stinginess to obsess them and take root in their minds.

"Even if it were their last morsel, their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared it, if there were someone to share it with.

"But, meditators, as beings do not know, as I know, the result of giving and sharing, they eat without having given, and the stain of stinginess obsesses them and takes root in their minds."

If beings only knew —

So said the Great Sage —

How the result of sharing

Is of such great fruit,

With a gladdened mind,

Rid of the stain of stinginess,

They would duly give to noble ones

Who make what is given [exceedingly] fruitful.

Having given much food as offerings

To those most worthy of offerings,

The donors go to heaven(s)

On departing the human plane.

Having gone to heaven(s) they rejoice,

And enjoying pleasures there,

The unselfish experience the result

Of generously sharing with others.

*From the Itivuttaka: The Group of Ones Iti 1-27 PTS: Iti 1-19 Vagga Sutta: Iti 1.1-27