In teaching “Service before self” I explain that we are all Gods children and it is our duty to help our fellow man. At the end of every lesson I challenge the youth with the following challenge.
PART 1

1. Go out into the world (our community or where ever) and do a kindness by helping someone.
2. Don’t get caught. By Don’t get caught I simply mean that the youth should do a kindness anonymously. The youth should do something like clear the sidewalk of snow for a neighbor or the like. The goal is to silently encourage others to help others…sort of a “force multiplier” if you will.
3. Do not tell anyone about this kindness you performed. There should only be three people initially that know the kindness was performed. God, You, and the person you performed the kindness for. Any “advertisement of the kindness” should be done by the person receiving the kindness. they will probably tell others that someone anonymously helped them.

Part 2

1. Find someone that needs help, a lifting up so to speak. Find out what they need help with and then help them if you are able. DO NOT accept payment (that would simply miss the whole point of the exercise)
2. Join a service group that actually performs a service.

Over the past several years I could not tell you how many youth took me up on my challenge but I suspect the vast majority did because I noticed that almost all had a change in attitude and a better understanding of what John 15:13 is all about.

All this talk of getting a “good feeling” from service is interesting. It seems to me that if you go into the performing of a service just for the “good feeling” then you have missed the mark. If you go into the performing of a service just for the “plain goodness” or honor involved then you have hit the mark dead on.

Just my .02 I could be wrong and your mileage may vary

I admit that I do get satisfaction out of the many things I do both as a volunteer and as a passerby in life that takes the time to help others, but by no means is this the reason I do it. My satisfaction comes from knowing that my one step or action when multiplied by all the people that are doing the same, help make this a better place to live in and raise my kids.

The actions I perform are the actions I saw my Father perform, the things that made a real man and a real father. I do my best to emulate his actions to try to live as a good man and a good father for my children. I have been brought up and have joined an organization where part of our obligations includes this duty to our fellow man, to the length of my abilities and to the point of no injury to myself. By helping others, I hope to pass these values onto my daughters so that there are three more people helping others.

As for not joining a large group out of fear that they are corrupt, treat the volunteers wrongly or not joining and those worried about duplication or services. There are many people that, out of lack of knowledge, fear of asking or just too much pride to ask for help, need people that are just willing to strike out on their own and offer help.

By helping your fellow man, there is no reason you should not be able to sit back at the end of the day and feel good about the way you choose to live your life.

Furthermore, the suggestion that every human action is selfish is so absurd as to be laughable. It is not only lacking in generosity it is asicienttific. Altruism is a well defined natural phenomenon and instinct that defies self interest, and exists in mammal as low as rabbits in the individual.

I recognize that was somewhat unkind, and I apologize for the tone, but I grow a little ungentlemanly when people make these kinds of specious and sweeping arguments in opposition to something as simple and positive as charity. There is simply no excuse for arguing against helping other people. No real gentleman can make such an argument.

I certainly didn’t get any rush out of doing the right thing, but it was what I felt had to be done.