Religious or not, I think one of the best philosophies on giving is Rambam's 8 levels of tzedakah. The highest is doing something to materially improve someone's condition, the absolute lowest is giving with a poor attitude. That he doesn't even rank "giving with the intention of getting something yourself" shows how far this is from any sort of good act.

https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/67238?lang=bi