Serving is Different From Helping and Fixing

 

 

“You give a poor man a fish and you feed him for a day. You teach him to fish and you give him an occupation that will feed him for a lifetime.” (Chinese proverb.)

 

 

     Helping and fixing involves something being broken or not right, "helping is based on inequality."  People who offer the help don't see anything wrong with it, but those receiving usually feel lower than those who help them.  Even though people "help and fix" with good intentions, it's only a temporary answer.  Through service towards the community and people in need we give a more equal feeling, rather allowing anyone to feel less of a person.  Serving is not a way to feel good about ourselves, it’s about mutual gratitude.  The Chinese proverb above represents the difference between serving, and helping and fixing.  When serving, we don't want to fix a problem, we want to improve the general quality of life as equals.