No 1363 of Living Life Series 1
Helping others is not for helping oneself. Do not for instance run an aged home to glorify oneself. It would be insincere that way.
But there is still good done for others. Bo Tien 武天 did say.
Few help others without thinking of self. Many simply think of self gain before they decide to help others.
But if one goes overboard to help others and sacrifice his own needs, it is another matter. Some cannot help themselves and they badly need help themselves. In either scenarios, it is obvious. How to help others if one is of no help to self? Can still be done and justified, but perhaps not ideal and not as effective.
There will always be exceptions to the norm. For instance, a dying person who cannot solve his own predicament may still be able to help others even before his last breath.
But if one goes overboard to help others and sacrifice his own needs, it is another matter. Some cannot help themselves and they badly need help themselves. In either scenarios, it is obvious. How to help others if one is of no help to self? Can still be done and justified, but perhaps not ideal and not as effective.
There will always be exceptions to the norm. For instance, a dying person who cannot solve his own predicament may still be able to help others even before his last breath.
Never however help ourselves at the expense of others. This is the worst scenario. At least, there must be some good fallout for others around. But this is still not good. Helping others eg charity is not as simple as it seems. Let this be food for thought.
Never imply to others you help that there is no free lunch and that they must give you some benefit otherwise you will not help them. That would be unbecoming and manipulative. Do you really want to help?
But ironically it is alright to help others to be in the same faith as you as this will help you secure a place in paradise. This is good and what is expected. This scenario runs counter to norms of common logic but can be very helpful to the those who want to convert others to their faith and to those who are converted. Conversion in their eyes is the best gift and help they can give to others.
But isn't there room for second thought? Some say no need to as this is the call of divine. Some refuse to answer this question and simply tell you that the best conversion is from not so good to more good conduct - never mind if conversion to another faith is involved or not at all.
Perhaps it is better for some to stay put in their original religion but to know better and be better in the religion than to be maladjusted to another religion - be better at what they are. This is stressed by Bo Tien 武天.
Last but not least, it is blasphemous to question what is in the holy texts. But when the holy texts inspired by elders stress on that God and saints need to be glorified for the good they do for us, well then what is so wrong for men to want to benefit and glorify themselves otherwise they would not be so motivated to help others?
Isn't that more reason for food for thought on helping others? There is more to it than just a simple equation. Well, men are mortals and mortal ways may not be up to the mark with regards to immortals. Thus God and saints like Bo Tien武天 remind us that God (or saint) is God (or saint) and man is man.
Men must not try to think like they are immortals. No easy answer to life and even an issue of helping others can be contentious. It depends on the person and the context and station of life he is in. Insight and foresight must not be lacking.
Perhaps it is better for some to stay put in their original religion but to know better and be better in the religion than to be maladjusted to another religion - be better at what they are. This is stressed by Bo Tien 武天.
Last but not least, it is blasphemous to question what is in the holy texts. But when the holy texts inspired by elders stress on that God and saints need to be glorified for the good they do for us, well then what is so wrong for men to want to benefit and glorify themselves otherwise they would not be so motivated to help others?
Isn't that more reason for food for thought on helping others? There is more to it than just a simple equation. Well, men are mortals and mortal ways may not be up to the mark with regards to immortals. Thus God and saints like Bo Tien武天 remind us that God (or saint) is God (or saint) and man is man.
Men must not try to think like they are immortals. No easy answer to life and even an issue of helping others can be contentious. It depends on the person and the context and station of life he is in. Insight and foresight must not be lacking.
