he was grateful for people's goodness towards him, and would reward that generously: abdullah b. umar, with whom allah is pleased, said that the messenger of allah, may allah exalt his mention, said:

'whoever seeks refuge with allah against your evil, then do not harm him. whoever asks you by allah, then give him. whoever invites you, then accept his invitation. whoever does a favor for you or an act of kindness, then repay him in a similar manner; but if you do not find that which you can reward him with, then supplicate allah for him continuously, until you think you have repaid him.'  (ahmed #6106)

a'ishah, with whom allah is pleased, said:

'the messenger of allah, may allah exalt his mention, would accept gifts, and reward generously on account of that.' (bukhari #2445)