AN 5.36

Kāladānasutta

“Pañcimāni, bhikkhave, kāladānāni. Katamāni pañca? Āgantukassa dānaṁ deti; gamikassa dānaṁ deti; gilānassa dānaṁ deti; dubbhikkhe dānaṁ deti; yāni tāni navasassāni navaphalāni tāni paṭhamaṁ sīlavantesu patiṭṭhāpeti. Imāni kho, bhikkhave, pañca kāladānānīti.

Timely Gifts

“Mendicants, there are these five timely gifts. What five? A gift to a visitor. A gift to someone setting out on a journey. A gift to someone who is sick. A gift at a time of famine. Presenting the freshly harvested grains and fruits first to those who are ethical. These are the five timely gifts.

Kāle dadanti sappaññā, vadaññū vītamaccharā; Kālena dinnaṁ ariyesu, ujubhūtesu tādisu.

The wise give at the right time, being bountiful and rid of stinginess. A religious donation at the right time to the noble ones, upright and unaffected,

Vippasannamanā tassa, vipulā hoti dakkhiṇā; Ye tattha anumodanti, veyyāvaccaṁ karonti vā; Na tena dakkhiṇā ūnā, tepi puññassa bhāgino.

given with a clear and confident mind, is indeed abundant. Those who rejoice at that, or do other services, don’t miss out on the offering; they too have a share in the merit.

Tasmā dade appaṭivānacitto, Yattha dinnaṁ mahapphalaṁ; Puññāni paralokasmiṁ, Patiṭṭhā honti pāṇinan”ti.

So you should give without holding back, where a gift is very fruitful. The good deeds of sentient beings support them in the next world.”