Message #2946

[Martin]

]I think that you need to look at the motivation behind the kind deeds.  I know of people who are kind because they wish to earn something from being kind - and that might be pecuniary, eternally or whatever.  I also know of those who have no underlying agenda behind their being kind - other than enjoying being kind.

TBH, from my experience Andy, I think that, if there are pople who seek eternal  reward they will be more likely to be Christians than Atheists (pretty obvious since athiests don't believe in eternal earnings so they are hadly going to be doing things in order to earn eternal earnings :D!) but I'm not sure most people think that way. I'm not sure I can think of too many examples of people who do really good things with an eye on financial reward too, though I'm sure you are right, that such scenarios exist. 

I'm with JJ in that the reward for most people is enjoyment - the thrill of seeing another person laugh, the feeling of happiness you get from knowing that when you do something that someone will suffering less because of it, or the gentle satisfaction you get from a better relationship or a more peaceful world helped by your own action.

I think this is the same for Christians and non-Christians.  I'm sure most Christians don't love simply because they believe it will get them eternal life,  I'm pretty sure most Christians don't do it because they believe God loves them.  Some might, but not many.   Mainly I suspect it's because they have become the sorts of people who can, and do, put themselves in another's shoes, and so they so what they do because helping the situation is rewarding in itself.