In life, we render help to another either because there is something in it for us at the moment, there is something we hope to gain from the person in the future, or because we do it for humanity's sake and the love of God. The first two motives are very common and easy to practice simply because it is a win-win situation. The fact remains that charity toward a neighbor is something that takes a lot of energy from us. It is so because there is this natural inclination toward self, thus channeling efforts toward another is not always easy. It is the belief that help can be returned that suppresses this natural inclination toward self.
Only those who have suppressed this selfish inclination through things like mortification, prayers, and life experiences can comfortably render help genuinely. Most times because we live in a world where people do things with the hope of getting something from them, it is difficult for people to accept that there is help without ulterior motives. This becomes a problem for most people because it is discouraging when genuine help is either abused or unappreciated. It is even more discouraging when such help is judged to come with ulterior motives by the receiver.
For me, I believe rendering help should be genuine because that's what makes us true Christians (Christ-Like). If the help is later reciprocated, then we accept it but it should be better to render help all the time without the hope of anything. If there should be motives behind the act of charity, let it be towards God. I prefer not receiving reciprocation from people because it can never be compared when it comes from God.
There are also ulterior motives focused on appreciation than reciprocation. I believe this motive is even worse because it opens the door to pride, and once pride creeps into our good works toward another, there is a possibility that the work may not be as meritorious as it should be. Sadly, people want their good deeds to be known to all. They want people to sing their glory. This has made most people give more to the public than his people. We see where people with rich relatives suffer while the rich relative is generous outside the cycle.
I believe the world will become a better place when we render help not because we want to gain something in return, not because the receiver is our friend, not because we want the world to see us as good people, but because we want LOVE to rule the world, we want to live like Christ, we want to brighten people's life. Selfishness has taken over the world and this has suppressed genuine charity. Ingratitude has also contributed to this but if we know that whatever we do for others, we do it for God, we won't allow anything to hinder us from rendering genuine help and being appreciative as well.
