I worked with a pastor in the Philippines doing charity work a number of years ago, he outright said that his good deeds were all to spread and grow the religion, not because doing good deeds is a good thing to do. I did not like that one bit but it’s hard to argue against given these Filipinos really did need food parcels.

The Japanese mafia also give out charity to get people onside. Putin used to drive around rural regions handing out cash too.

In the UK, Jehovas witnesses come round to your house after the death of a loved one and they give you all kinds of nice messages and charity.

Growing a religion (or a movement) through bribery is an ancient practice.