,"Even our good deeds are extensions of our selfishness".
If there was no God, religion and promise of heaven, paradise or hell, would you still strive to be good?. Thats a fundamental question we must all ask ourselves, because it baffles me, when people say things like " had it been i wasn't a christian/muslim or any other religion, i would have ....". It is a clear fact that man is a selfish being, but Excessive selfishness is what brings about problems. We should selflessly and sincerely do good, not minding personal gains, this age is characterized by selfishness in disguise, today people go to church/mosque and other religious centers, because they want to go to heaven or want to prosper in life, not because they want to inculcate good virtues and live good lives that would positively touch humanity and better mankind,
people help those in need, because they want God to bless them by replenishing their pockets in a hundred folds, not because they want to really alieviate suffering and better mankind, people "sow so called seeds" for personal harvests in hundred folds not for the betterment of humanity.
And this selfishness is the reason why there is so much suffering in the world, despite the many "good deeds". The motive in which we do good or evil matters alot. We need to get it right now, remember you can decieve your pastor, priest, imam and your fellow men, but you cant decieve me, yourself and more importantly God.,,

BUT be careful how you give because some poor people can ruin you because their hunger is insatiable. Better to teach them how to fish than feeding them fish. I learnt this the hard way. You have been warned....