What blessings would you receive from heaven if you only give those who can give

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   Mark Johannposted 11 years ago

   A message taught by Jesus. I am not doing this as blasphemy but I want to share this to the world that giving without expecting in return is the noblest of all.
   
   Criticism from other beliefs are welcome but be modest in your opinion. I posted this one in Catholic Religion only to discuss many things for the enrichment of Catholic Faith.

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      A Troubled Manposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry, but that type of behavior was exhibited in humans long before your mythical god ever walked the planet.

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         Zxoaicposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         There were goats who used to accompany the humans that time. They had green horns.

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            pennyofheavenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            lol

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   Emile Rposted 11 years ago

   I believe that the blessing received for helping those in need (who could never, or would never, return the favor) was given prior to the act. Expecting a cosmic reward negates the value of the act.
   
   For God so loved the world. He made a gesture for an entire species meant to last for all time. No reward or reciprocation can be offered on our part. It can't be paid back. God created a pay it forward scenario. Help should be joyfully offered, at every turn. Because you know what others may not see.

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   recommend1posted 11 years ago

   No religion needed, giving and expecting nothing in return is simply human.
   
   Trying to claim simple human 'good' behaviours for your unproven, probably non-existent super being is dishonest,  expecting some reward for it when you are dead totally negates the whole ethical concept of the thing - which neatly describes catholicism.

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      Emile Rposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I'd have to disagree, on part of that. Children certainly do give with no expectations, on some levels. They are incredibly selfish in other ways. We have to teach them since it doesn't all come naturally.
      
      Adults don't necessarily conduct themselves that way. But I do agree that expecting an eternal reward for doing the right thing in the first place is a bizarre contradiction.

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         recommend1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Well - I am not so sure about the teaching.  Children generally are generous and honest, those who are not can usually be identified as those with issues imposed on them by their parents.

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            Emile Rposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            That is  an opinion. I'm interested. How many children have you raised and how many children have you had long term interaction with?

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               recommend1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

               Of course it is an opinion.  I have 7 brothers and sisters (older than me generally) and so have been immersed in dozens of close family children  -    I have raised 4 and had a normal life of child interaction, and if this was a CV I would mention that I was chair of the teacher parent comittee at my local school for 3 years.  My 4 now have one each, including a new arrival on Thursday at around 9pm.
               
               My own two children were generous and open which I would like to claim responsibility for - but they seemed to be born that way if I was being open and honest.   My two inherited children were almost polar opposites, but they had already suffered a traumatic 5 and 7 years life with a (mentally) abusive father.
               
               My natural kids parties were an eye opener for me, with what I understood as natural behaviour of generoisty, seen as sharing and playing openly, being the province of the farm workers kids mostly, and the less well off from around the village.  The kids who would not share, and with rudimentary bullying in the form of taking toys from others forcibly (that they did not want themselves, just wanted to prevent others from having them) were clearly the kids of the local politicians and rich farmers (millionaire farmers in our case), and the local brand of baptist religious types.    This is of course generalising, but a clear pattern could be seen.   Interestingly, the local Buddhist peace and love kids were usually isolated, which I thought was to do with them being a little 'different', my take was that the parents were Buddhist to avoid (rougher) society as much as for religious reasons- the guy went on  to write a series of enormously popular childrens books so maybe he was right and I was wrong, who knows.

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         JMcFarlandposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         belief in anything because you're expecting an eternal reward or because you're afraid of eternal torture is not a moral teaching, so in that aspect the christian/catholic faith fails.
         
         Ironically to your point, children also have to be taught religion.  It is not inherent.  Like racism, religion is an acclimated belief due to teaching, admonishing and correcting.  I believe that human nature is more often kind and compassionate than cruel - and that to good simply for the sake of being a good person is much more admirable and moral than doing it out of fear or faith.

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