What Rewards in Life Come Without Work?

The word 'deserve' is often thrown around by emotional thinkers. People feel they deserve fair and agreed compensation for their efforts. But who pays the price? Does society bear the burden of rewarding you? Your contributions to society, whether through work or volunteerism, play a crucial role in determining your rewards.

Charity and Surplus

Charity often stems from surplus. If contributors don’t have enough resources to cover their basic needs, little to no charity is available. Our society believes that those who are old, young, disabled, or temporarily incapable, deserve charity. This is especially true in disaster situations. However, our society expects everyone else to contribute to society, and that expectation is a fundamental part of maintaining a functioning society.

Name, title

No Free lunches

Society does not tolerate freeloaders. You are expected to contribute within your means. If you reject society, it has no obligation to support you. Participation in society is voluntary and demonstrated by living up to societal standards.

Luck and Support

Life itself is a gift, and you did nothing to earn it before birth. You received support from your parents without working for it. Similarly, many resources and support from your family and community are non-earned. Do you deserve life? Do you deserve the hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless hours of support your parents gave you? Not everything in life is given for free.

Feel uncomfortable with the term 'free'? Some people might want to be fired or imprisoned. But what you’re really saying is that since you exist, you deserve something for free. I don't view life that way. I've worked since I was twelve, and I've received little to nothing for 'free'. Those who believe they deserve rewards without contribution might start to assume that since they live, they're entitled to more.

Earned Respect

Every human being deserves respect, but that respect is earned through respectful behavior. Parents give love freely, but they also have expectations of their children. If a child consistently fails to meet these standards, that love might not be reciprocated.

No one deserves anything for free. Everyone has been gifted by God, but with these gifts comes the obligation to use them for making a positive impact in the world. Just as we have an obligation to keep the air clean, there is no such thing as a free lunch. That's because someone or something is paying for it. Even the air we breathe is paid for in some way.

The responsibility to do our part exists in every aspect of life, from environmental stewardship to the economy. Let’s all strive to contribute positively and appreciate what we have, no matter how much or how little we receive.