To give is to receive..
This is something I realized around the time I started getting tired of toys. At Christmas Eve, the biggest present was not the box of CDs or whatever that I received. It was to see the joy and appreciation in the faces of those I care about.
Material gifts, of course, are rarely a cause of much happiness. The term "giving is receiving" is most of all about helping out. To give of yourself. Best of all, perhaps, to help out with emotional problems. Few things are as gratifying as someone showing her gratitude of having you as a friend.
Giving is a way of giving purpose to your life. It is one of the best ways to MakeEverySecondCount. -- MattiasFlodin
As poignant as this subject and comments are, why so small a page? maybe recent changes has some insight? -- Mark Ames
Perhaps because it doesn't require discussion, clarification, definition and debate. It's true, most people realize it and nothing more needs to be said.
Isn't that rather selfish, giving just so that you can extract some petty pleasurable emotion from the experience? IronyWarning - I'm not actually being sarcastic, though. See DefinitionOfSelfishness.
Aren't most people able to discern when someone is helping them out of genuine care as opposed to selfish reasons?
Read A Course in Miracles. It explains everything.