A Good Turn

As a Scout, you need to remember that you do not do good deeds for pay. This is not saying that you work for free. The services you render for a job are different. You should be paid for the time you work, and you should always provide the best service you can. However, each day we are presented with opportunities to do a good turn for others, and that should always be free.

Americans have a “tipping” mentality. We think that whenever someone does something for us, we should tip them. The sad thing is many feel they should be tipped something for their kindness. Once you bring money into a kindness it is no longer a kindness. You did a job and were paid for it. That is not a good turn. Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Scouts should be making a life by doing a good turn daily.

“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone

who will never be able to repay you.”

John Wooden

1910-2010

Coach

The best part of giving is when we give to those who cannot give back to us. This means we need to look at giving and serving differently. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. said, “Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.” Scouts and Scouters should be excited at the opportunities we have to add value and help into the lives of others. Your good turn could change the course of someone’s life.

There are several ways we can do a good turn for others who cannot pay us back. First, you must remember that giving is not always a money thing. Yes, there are times we can help someone financially who are in need, but there are more productive ways. You can give your time to someone, or help them with a task or open a door for someone. It is not a complicated thing. The key is to do it and not expect something in return – ever.  

To do a good turn for others is to show grace. Grace is always a gift and has great value attached to it. Don’t think that grace is just something God gives. We are to give grace to each other as well. Scottish Preacher Alexander Whyte put it this way: “Grace, then, is grace, - that is to say, it is sovereign, it is free, it is sure, it is unconditional, and it is everlasting.” Grace is the one thing we can give to one another that cannot be repaid because it is priceless.

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all

sufficiency in everything; you may have an abundance for every good deed.”

2 Corinthians 9:8

Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2020 John Patrick Hickey