Besides, external gratification, including public recognition, can block one's objectivity. I've always felt that external things could lead to pride. Anytime I feel proud, I get cautious. Ostentatiousness gets in the way of humility, and that gets in the way of learning. We learn better when we're humble.
Proud people tend to stop learning.
Dr. Collins describes his spirituality in a way engineers could appreciate. I do believe there's a universal balance in life. If you do good or evil, it will come back to you. His philanthropy helps restore a balance. At some level, I feel that I owe society for my education.