Thomas A Kempis 1.15 - Works of charity / love

There is no worldly good, there is no person, for which we should do anything that is evil. To serve those in need, a good work must sometimes be postponed or be changed for a better one. In this, a good work is not destroyed, but transformed into something better. If a work does not come from the heart, the external work does not benefit anyone, but if anything is done from the heart, however small and disregarded it might be, it brings forth good fruit. God considers more from what an action comes, rather than how much he does. 

He does much who loves much. He does much who does a good thing. He does well who serves to the community rather than his own interest. Often something looks like generosity which is more worldly, because worldly inclinations, self-will, hope of repayment, and feelings of the will are rarely absent.

He who has true and perfect love does not seek his own in any matter, but desires only God's glory in everything that is done. He envies none, because he desires no selfish joy, nor does he want to rejoice in himself, but in God above all he wishes to find his blessing. He attributes good to none but God alone, from whom all things come, and in whom finally all the Holy Ones rest in joyful satisfaction. Oh, he who has a spark of true charity would sense that all earthly things are empty.

Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, 1.15. 

Translation focused on contemporary English and preservation of rhetorical force and art