法苑珠林 81.34

81.34

若給妻子奴婢衣食。常以憐愍歡喜心與。未來則得無量福德。若復觀田倉中多有鼠雀犯暴穀米。常生憐愍復作是念。如是鼠雀因我得活。念已歡喜無觸惱想。當知是人得福無量。

"If, when providing clothing and food to one's wife, children, and servants, one always gives with a compassionate and joyful mind, in the future one will obtain immeasurable merit. Furthermore, if one observes that in the fields and granaries there are many mice and birds devouring the grain, and constantly generates compassion, thinking: 'These mice and birds survive because of me,' and having thought this feels joy without any thought of vexation—one should know that this person obtains immeasurable merit."