Do good and expect nothing in return

Jan 29, 2010, 12.00am IST
Ashutosh Maharaj.

I am a happy youth and like to do good, but sometimes i feel why help another when the receiver doesn't respond?


To help others is a humanitarian attribute the proof of our being human beings. Your conscience knows the truth behind this statement. Otherwise, you would not have raised this issue. Only it seems that, perhaps, someone whom you trusted and helped intimately has broken your heart! Therefore, on this issue, your perspective is a bit sour! If your intention is to really help others, then your entire concentration should be on the word 'others'. No scope to think about oneself! The ideal of helping others is not like the give and take business it is not a barter transaction. If we entertain the selfish idea of receiving something, even a warm 'thanks', the whole of idea of 'helping' loses its charm and worth. That's why it is said: 'Do a good deed and throw it into the well!' Meaning, do good and forget about it.

One day Jesus Christ cured 10 lepers of their disease. But, do you know how many of them stayed on to express their gratitude or even say a word of thanks to Jesus? Just one! Read the account of Luke in the Bible; it says that Jesus turned and enquired of his disciples, "Where are the other nine?" The disciples answered ''Master, their selfish interest is fulfilled and, therefore, they have now gone from here.'' Jesus smiled and proceeded to help other persons, telling his disciples ''Do good unto others.'' Help for the inner joy of helping.

Nature will return your goodness in mysterious ways. A farmer in Scotland, by the name of Fleming, heard a voice calling for help. He immediately ran towards the call for help, and there he saw a boy neck-deep in quicksand. Fleming struggled and pulled the boy out of the quicksand; he affectionately patted him and told him to go home. Then, he returned to his farming job again.

Next day, a well-dressed gentleman visited the farmer and thanked him for saving the life of his son. He wished to reward the farmer. Fleming declined, saying he had only done his duty. Looking at a little boy, the gentleman asked Fleming if that was his son. Fleming nodded and was told: "This boy, one day will make you proud!"

Then on the gentleman took full responsibility for the upbringing and education of that boy. He grew up to become a world-renowned scientist. He was Alexander Fleming. He benefited humanity by his invention of penicillin. A few months after this invention, the son of that gentleman was hit by a severe attack of pneumonia! You know how his life was saved (for the second time)? With penicillin! He was Winston Churchill.

So, it is true that what goes around, comes around. Nature doesn't retain anything. It returns everything with interest.

If the helpful deed extended by you to others is not responded to, the Super Conscience becomes active to make good happen. Jesus Christ would say to his disciples: "Happy are those who long to be just and good, for they shall be completely satisfied...don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. And your father who knows all secrets will reward you.''

The very act of doing good is reward enough; it is not a commercial transaction that looks to profit and loss. So do good without expecting something in return and you will reap the benefit in some way or other.