nice gestures

Scripture tells us to do our good works in secret, and our reward will be in Heaven, but when we expect thanks on earth then we have already received our reward. The good feeling we get from helping another person should be all the reward we need for this life.

No...why? Unconditional giving is supposed to be just that. Giving with no strings attached...and that includes self-glory. Oh goodness aren't a great person for giving of myself..or my funds...doesn't sound very unconditional to me anyway. In regard to the idea of random acts of kindness...yes absolutely! My Mom raised me with the "pay it forward" way of life. When you care...tell people. When they do a good job...tell them. When people give to you..express appreciation in a heartfelt way...and pay the act forward to someone else. When the movie of that name came out it showed the amazing ripple effect when people touch each other's lives in caring compassionate...and unexpected ways. Magic happens! For those who saw the movie Crash...it clearly illustrated that reality. I am a big believer in contacting superiors and giving support staff credit when they go beyond just doing their job. All they ever hear are the complaints...and that says a lot to me about how pathological the negativity within our society has become. So yes...doing nice things for people in unconditionally loving ways...you bettcha!

I completely agree with your views that we should do some charity whenever we can, it gives us some kind of positive and satisfying feeling.