Down the Societal Drain

You know, one of the things that aggravates me when I read comments on the newspaper I frequent online, Chron.com, is the conversation that takes place when people start discussing illegal immigration. (As usual, this is going to start off sounding like I'm talking about a political subject, but stick with me...this isn't actually about illegal immigration.) For the record, I believe something needs to be done about illegal immigration, and I don't believe the answer is amnesty, but I've noticed an argument that folks throw out there when they're discussing it. Over and over, it is (rightfully) stated that illegal immigrants are a drain on American society, using medical and educational resources without paying back into the system.
That got me to thinking. How many citizens do we have doing the same basic thing? I believe this goes beyond simply paying taxes, so I'm not just talking about tax cheats here. How many people actually do something altruistic for the world around them, simply for trying to make life a little better for others without the expectation of some kind of reward? I'd like to say I did that as a soldier, but the truth is, it was a job. I got paid. As I've said before, I didn't do what I did for noble reasons, but simply for survival of a decision I made as a naive kid to join up. I'd also like to think that, as a teacher, I do that, but again, there's that pesky paycheck.
Altruism comes in a much more subtle form. It comes in the form of mowing a neighbor's front yard when you mow yours because she's a single mom, and you know she doesn't have the time to do it. It comes in the form of volunteering at your local school, or performing church missions.
One of the downfalls of our society, I believe, is Americans' tendency to throw money at an issue and believe that will make a problem go away. Those of us on the conservative side of the fence point to liberals all the time with that accusation, but honestly, we're just as guilty. As an educator in the inner city, I can't tell you how many good, decent people I've invited to have lunch with me that have never taken me up on it because they don't want to come to my part of town. These are the same people that tithe at church every Sunday, that donate to good causes, that will give money to someone standing on the corner.
Why won't people donate time instead of money? Time is so much more precious than money, and it's something that everyone has. You may be a very, very busy person, but the truth is, if you decide something is important enough, you will make time for it. There are so many organizations begging for people to help, too. Whether it's your local school, a church, Rotary club, Lions club, homeless shelter, women's shelter, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, or one of a thousand others, the one common theme is they need help.
Last Wednesday, I participated in my second mission with my church. We went to goverment housing and passed out loaves of bread. It was absolutely one of the most rewarding experiences I've had. It was actually kind of funny, as people would open their door with clearcut suspicion (I'm a big, goofy, white guy and was clearly out of place). The change when they understood what I was doing was fun.
When's the last time you did something purely without the expectation of reward. Yes, I understand there's the philosophical argument that the pleasure of doing a job is a reward, thus altruism doesn't exist, but I live in the real world, not the theoretical. Jesus lived his life this way, paying attention to the little things, hanging out with people others found disdainful. He helped those around him simply because he could, without expectation of reward.
Are you making your world a better place without the expectation of reward, or are you mercenary, expecting your little bit of the till for every action you take? If you've been living your life as the latter (as I've been guilty of in the past), I'd argue that you are the illegal alien, living for yourself and loved ones without giving back. That's a harsh statement, but when you really think about it, you make money through time. Shouldn't you give some time back?