Why do they do it?

Why in the world does anyone spend time helping the others, especially the helpless, the lazy, bums, drunks, addicts, convicts, ex-cons, the dirty, the homeless, i.e., the bottom rung of society’s ladder? Why do grown-ups volunteer to serve children and youth? Why do seniors receive so much attention from their juniors?

I know a couple who exchanged a secure job with the government to be present with street people, serve them coffee, give them second-hand clothes, and offer a model of parenthood to kids who have multiple distorted views of parenting in their lives.

I wonder why they do that? Is it for money?

I know a guy who works the night shift and then drives 50 miles to teach and counsel prisoners. He works this other “job” two, sometimes three days a week and spends no less than two hours plus the two-hour driving time each day.

Why? Is it because he is bored and needs something to fill empty hours? Does he do it for the small deduction for charitable travel on his tax return?

I know a couple who show up every week at a city mission to pour coffee for folks who have never tasted Starbucks coffee. The couple would be comfortable in a stylish shop in the suburbs that offer Wi-Fi, but choose to serve coffee to people who are as unfamiliar with Wi-Fi as they are with a hundred-dollar bill. (Wireless-Fidelity enables laptop computer users to get on the Internet in coffee shops, bookstores, etc..)

Why? Are they doing some kind of penance for a sin God has already forgotten?

I know others who prepare and serve a meal to anyone who comes to St. John’s Breadline and they do this cooking and serving regularly.

Why? Are they learning how to cook and need someone to eat their nouveau cuisine?

After school tutors, Sunday school teachers, blood donors, people who serve as “big brothers” or “big sisters,” and the people who deliver meals to shut-ins all volunteer their services and spend their time doing something good for others.

Why? Why do all these volunteers do what they do?

When asked, some of these good people can’t answer the question about their motives. Most of them know a few reasons that do not motivate them. Money is the most often rejected explanation. Others say they only know in part what motivates them to volunteer. Among those partial answers are:

“I think I ought to pass along the blessings I have received.”

“There was a need and I could meet it.”

“I guess it is more or less a habit.”

“I like kids (or whoever benefits from their efforts).”

“In a way, although it seems selfish, I volunteer because I always get more than I give.”

Only a few mention any divinely inspired motivation. Are they embarrassed to talk about God or do they mostly look inside themselves to find the answer to the “Why?” questions.

After some listening, observing, and thinking I have come to the conclusion that self-referred answers bring some sadness to the good deeds when acknowledged. Wouldn’t service be more satisfying; more compelling; and more effective if the services of volunteers arose from a belief that God was the motivator? If God were so busy ruling the universe that he assigned certain jobs to ordinary John and Jane Does, wouldn’t the Does see their volunteering with more understanding and appreciative eyes?

To say, “God trusts me with a part of his responsibility for this child …” or “God thinks I am just the right person to do this …” or “Out of all the people in the world, God chose to motivate me to …” would undoubtedly make the value of a volunteer’s efforts more significant and meaningful.

So it seems to me. How does it seem to you?

Do you know what motivates you to serve? Or not to serve?