Thank you Gopinadh, Tobi, Lal and Yash.
I agree that giving would be as what you all said, to give with compassion and not expect something in return. A benefit of this would be to of course, help us towards Nibbana, but that should ideally not be the main thought behind giving. However, this may be difficult initially.
Hence, I resonate with Gopinadh, “A “discpline” which was earlier imposed from outside and had to be implemented with great care and effort, now flows naturally. If it is required it flows out, else it rests.”
Perhaps at first, it may not be easy to give from compassion itself, and one has give for the goal of attaining Nibbana. One example is that 2 weeks ago, after listening to a desana on requiring good moral conduct to condition the mind for dhamma concepts, I thought to myself: “I will give this $10 note to the next beggar I see”. This act of kindness had to be prompted intially, and the goal was to clear my mind more so than to help the person. However as we cultivate it, it will flow naturally without prompting. After giving, I felt a lightness in my chest, and a clearer mind. Hopefully if this habit is cultivated, I will give without prompting.
And thank you Tobi for taking the time to link all the posts in your explanation. My aha moment was “Metta Bhavana thus establishes a mindset to grasp Pancakkhandha of every sentient being.” Well said! I can now carry out Metta Bhavana with this angle.
I am also very grateful for everyone’s explanations here, it is my first time on this forum and I am heartened by your efforts in helping me understand!