‘Let your left hand not know what the right hand is doing’ said Jesus, very relevant in the context of people trying to show off their generosity.  Man is a social being and not as individualistic as he is made out to be. But with every passing generation, he is getting to be more and more self-centered though by nature he is helpful, caring and ready to sacrifice his pleasures for a greater cause. With technological advancement, the world as well as man’s mind has become smaller. He is unable to think beyond himself.  Man has forgotten his inherent goodness in hedonistic pursuits. When he does behave in an altruistic manner , it is mostly with an ulterior motive-the publicity-hungry, for the news that they will make; the pious, to earn brownie points with God; the egoist, to preen over his charitable work; a business-man, to promote his business; the corrupt, to salvage his conscience; and the God-fearing, in fear of God.  It does appear that in an increasingly materialistic world, man has conditioned himself to be selfish, and thinks himself virtuous when he acts selflessly. If I cook for my family, I think it is my duty, but if I were to cook and feed the poor, I think that I am great. If I send my child to school, I am doing what every parent does but if I were to sponsor the education of my maid’s daughter, I feel quite saintly. Looking after your own parents is labouring with love but help your old neighbor with her shopping and you can sense the halo round your head.  Charity, kindness to strangers, help to the needy has become more a matter of show and ‘feeling good’ and for the orthodox their way of securing a place in heaven. So when a ‘Miss Universe’ contestant says that she wants to serve the society, this hypocritical answer may earn her the crown. A couple of years down the line, society will be long forgotten; she will be quite busy making a name in the world of films. If you are a famous personality, then work for charitable and environmental causes; your name will figure in the list of nominees for an award. When a politician is denied ministership what is the … [Read more...]