Should One Expect a Reward When Doing a Good Deed?

A great many people presume upon a reward when doing a good deed. First and foremost, there is a natural tendency to equate doing good deeds with a certain amount of reward, and reward with a certain amount of money. What is more, they maintain that since the basis of contemporary society is money, one of the major means of earning money is getting reward by doing good deeds.

On the contrary, the vast majority of people assume that doing a good deed should be based on people’s personal interests. Hence, doing a good deed is fulfilling itself and reward is of minimal significance. Numerous examples can be given, but this will suffice. Mr. Leifeng lived a simple life dedicated to doing good deeds without expecting any reward and helping people from all walks of life, yet he was remembered as one of the most successful hero of our time.

Generally speaking, it is my view that we should not expect a reward when doing a good deed. We do this for enjoyment, fulfillment and other spiritual enhancement, not for the purpose of reward.