Does accepting and/or expecting a reward for a good deed diminish the value of the deed performed?

2017-07-17T23:06:30-04:00

I picked up someone stranded on the side of the road and helped them get gas. I helped him in the hope if I was in a similar situation someone would help me. It got me thinking about things like the Volunteer Service Medal and Commendatory FitReps. I know people who go out of their way to perform good deeds, but only because a reward is attached. Good deeds are still being performed though.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jul 17 at 2017 11:16 PM

2017-07-17T23:16:40-04:00

Cpl Justin Goolsby: The whole point of doing a good deed is that- the Reward is in the Giving. The Benefactor feels as though he/she is more rewarded than the Beneficiary.
Hope this helps you, Corporal.
-Most Sincerely, Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired

Response by SPC Paul C. made Jul 17 at 2017 11:22 PM

2017-07-17T23:22:17-04:00

A person who gives and volunteers without expecting anything in return will always help by nature. However, if a person does a good deed and expects an award, he may not always volunteer his services in the future. The result may be the same but the motivation for volunteering is different.

Response by MSgt Jason McClish made Jul 17 at 2017 11:51 PM

2017-07-17T23:51:17-04:00

To me, this has two different answers. Doing charitable work and being rewarded and accepting it is far different than doing charitable work and expecting a reward. I volunteered for several years for the USO and United States of America Girl Scout Organization-North Atlantic Division when I was stationed at Sembach, Germany the second time. My wife was the Overseas Committee Chair for the base that oversaw 5 troops. I wanted to help her out because I wanted to take some work off her plate and it was one of the best things I've ever done. Those girls were nothing short of amazing. During my time, the girls did a lot of work, earned hundreds of badges, and I helped oversee Gold and Silver Awards projects. My wife was also a USO tour guide and I have some time at the local office and passenger terminal at Ramstein Air Base. Word got out from all this donated time, plus being in my yearly evaluations, my supervisor wanted to submit me for the MOVSM. I wrote it up and it was approved fairly quickly by Air Force standards...about 3 months. What I did expect in that was for the commander to present it to me, even if it was one on one. It just appeared in my records one day. I have no certificate and wasn't even given the medal. Point is, that kinda bummed me out briefly, but it wasn't for that, it was for the girls and the troops...THAT'S what matters at the end of the day!

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 17 at 2017 11:52 PM

2017-07-17T23:52:57-04:00

You fouled your good deed with an expectation.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 17 at 2017 11:56 PM

2017-07-17T23:56:19-04:00

If someone saves my life expecting a Bronze Star, regardless of motive, I am now alive and my son isn't fatherless...

Response by SGT Eric Knutson made Jul 18 at 2017 12:38 AM

2017-07-18T00:38:21-04:00

I was taught that true courage and integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching, I drive for Uber right now and get asked about tips, same thing, I am getting paid to transport a person, if you tip me, I say thank you and don't even look at how much because it was the appriciation that means more to me than the amount. I know and understand that some are cheapskates, some do not have cash and I do not let that bother me. Same idea in my book.

Response by SSgt David Tedrow made Jul 18 at 2017 4:28 AM

2017-07-18T04:28:01-04:00

I guess it depends on what kind of person you are in general. I personally do not do a good deed ever expecting any type of reward but I feel accepting one, in most cases, is a show of the other persons appreciation for your good deed,

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2017 9:23 AM

2017-07-18T09:23:49-04:00

If your question is about what you did, then no, the value is not diminished. The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This is straight out of the Bible and is how we should act at all times. Plus, it in no way guarantees that when you're out of gas that someone is going to stop and help you. However, for those that help other in hopes that their boss sees them or that an immediate reward is given to them, then yes, the value of their deed is gone. Not necessarily to the one the helped but as far as they are concerned, it's worthless. The Bible is clear about that also.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 18 at 2017 12:00 PM

2017-07-18T12:00:29-04:00

Interesting philosophical question. The "value" of the deed can be measured in both real value, that is the cost of the deed such as cost of food provided or miles driven, and an intrinsic value. The intrinsic value is difficult to define. It's the pay off in terms of the person doing the good deed getting non-materiel things that enhance their well being (make them feel appreciated, for example).

If an action is taken with anticipation of an immediate pay back or reward, then that's very close to "employment." The person is doing the deed, work, in anticipation of compensation. The deed gets done and the beneficiary is helped, but the intrinsic value of the deed is decreased because of the materiel pay off taking priority.

If you're a Christian, then the "least of these" parable applies. When we help a less fortunate person or a person in need of emergency aid, then it is as though we are helping Christ Himself. Our reward will be in heaven. Any earthly reward we get for such an act is just "icing on the cake" and should be accepted with humility.

I like the Scouting principle of "do a good turn daily." It doesn't require the Scout be rewarded for the good turn nor that the Scout should expect materiel reward. The good turn can be done anonymously and out of sight of other people. The result of the good turn is the intrinsic reward to the Scout.