One of the biggest Marbitzei Torah in our generation, a man who rises MILLIONS AND MILLIONS to support a network of Kollelim and Yeshivos was asked by Rav Shteinman what percentage of his work is לשמה. He replied [with embarrassing honesty]: Five percent.
Rav Shteinman said "Too bad on the five percent. If you would be a hundred percent שלא לשמה you would build more Yeshivos...."
The Sages WISELY told us to start doing mitzvos שלא לשמה.
People are people. One one hand we all have a pure part of us that wants to give and does give. But we also have a part of us that finds it hard to give with no ulterior motives. I recently asked two very wealthy men, both of whom have HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of dollars, to help a family that is in dire need. Both refused to give a cent. It hurt but so it goes. People remain people.
If I would have promised them 14 percent on their money [and they would have believed me] they would have happily given a few million [not that the family needs a few million - but I know PLENTY of people in need].
I have a friend who is a fund raiser. He raises tens and tens of millions of dollars. Not a schnorrer like me with a black suit and black hat. But a clean shaven man with modern clothing. What is his secret? He is a CEO and the money he is raising is invested in businesses. He can raise these insane sums because he is promising returns. HEAVY returns.
So the IDEAL is to give because it is the right thing to do. But if one needs a שלא לשמה [which we all need at times] then here is an old one: The ONLY money you take with you forever is the money you gave away.
So all of the rich people who ever lived all are penniless [except for what they gave away]. Those who are alive are close to being penniless. Nobody lives all that long. Life flies by and then we gooooooo.
Another לא לשמה - it is a good investment. Hashem, barring other factors, likes to help those who help His children. Wouldn't you want to be on the good side of the Master Of The Universe. The money could come back a thousand fold.
Another reason: Tzdaka saves from death. Who doesn't want to live?
