Well, except for peggy and a few others, this discussion seems to boil down to a question of motivation. I cheerfully identify myself a an honestly selfish person. I *never* do anything I don’t want to.
Having said that, I have two reasons (motivations) for doing what appear to be altruistic/charitable acts: 1) I like an uneventful society, and such acts (especially when they appear random or altruistic or charitable) tend to increase the calmness of the societies in which I find myself, and; 2) arrogance or sense of self-worth in that I am totally convinced that I can replace that which I give away without having to worry about it.
Coldly selfish, peggy? Absolutely. Mechanical or anaimalistic? Who cares.
I had a friend (*serious* Catholic) who was concerned with the state of my soul. I asked him whether he would prefer that I do the right thing for bad reasons (motivation) or the wrong thing for the right reasons (motivations)? He was conflicted but terribly tempted to go with the second choice.
A Mennonite Elder (who was only about 25) explained it to me many years ago. He said, “the Bible says ‘judge not, lest ye be judgeds.’ This means that the state of your soul (or motivations) is in the realm of God’s understanding, not Man’s. It also says, ‘by the fruits of their labors (behaviors) shall ye know them.’ It is good to be a fruit inspector.”
I think we’re spending too much time worrying about motivations when we should be concerned with behaviors and outcomes.
