Ronalfy.com — The Personal Website of Ronald Huereca

Lately I have been hearing the same quote over and over again: “No good deed goes unpunished.”

At work, this quote seems to be the norm. People warn me against volunteering because you’ll be “re-volunteered” in the future. Don’t do a good job on a project, because you’ll get more work. Don’t help people, because they’ll just want more help in the future. Don’t be nice, because then people will walk all over you.

Have you ever heard that nice guys finish last? In a way, it ties into the above quote.

Here are some examples that support that I have been punished for some of my good deeds.

Helping a Stranded Motorist

A week or so ago, a guy’s front-left tire had fallen completely off of his vehicle. His car was blocking one lane of traffic and people were dangerously attempting to pass the vehicle.

I parked my vehicle on the side of the road and asked if I could help move the vehicle. The guy scoffed at my attempt at helping.

“Hello? There’s no freakin’ tire on the car. How the heck am I supposed to move it?”

What I wanted to tell him is that a car will still move without a tire, just not easily. He was waiting for help so I can imagine them putting a new tire on the car in the middle of the roadway.

I offered the guy some water, and he just told me to go away.

Giving a Lady a Ride

Last thanksgiving I was driving through Memphis and pulled into a McDonalds to use the restroom. While leaving, I lit up a cigarette. Some lady frantically asked me if I could just give her a ride down the street. She said, “It’s kinda of an emergency.”

I hesitated, and replied back, “Lady, I do not know this city at all. I’m just passing through.”

She again asked and I eventually said OK.

Just as the lady was about to get into my car, her boyfriend stormed out of McDonalds threatening me. I got into my vehicle, locked the doors, and got out of there as fast as I could.

Helping a Runaway

When I was fifteen, my friend showed up at school with several bruises on his face. His parents were beating him. I offered to have him stay at my place. Essentially I was helping him runaway.

A few days later, my dad got a call and asked if I was helping somebody run away. One of my friends at school had ratted us out and my friend’s parents were on to me.

The next day, my friend and I were playing basketball outside and his parents showed up out of nowhere. They immediately started hitting him and threatened to throw me in jail.

The next day my friend showed up at school in brand new clothes and never spoke to me again.

Conclusion

I am of the belief that is a Christian’s duty to help people in need. Whether this good deed goes punished or unpunished shouldn’t matter. We should never be deterred from helping somebody just because of the negative consequences.

On the other hand, I am appalled that a Good Samaritan‘s law even needs to exist.

What do you think? Is it true that no good deed goes unpunished?

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