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Then what is the use of being good and doing good when goodness is not recognized and properly rewarded? Please illumine.
Whether goodness pays you well or not from the material standpoint, do good and be
good always. No doubt the worldly-minded generally take advantage of such people as ideal
gullibles to carry their wishes through and even to deceive. It matters nothing, for the Lord is
always on the side of the good and the righteous who stick to Dharma and who rely on Him. No
man is to be considered good without the virtue of piety or God-fearing nature. Goodness and
piety go together.
The good man is always the spiritually-inclined, though he is in the world. He is unlike
the Vyavaharic Purusha. To be good is to increase the purity and devotion unto the Lord in
abundant measure. To do good is to reap good in return. If a good action is done, a sweet fruit in
favour of you arises with the result that you enjoy it whether you want it or not. If a bad action is
done, the consequent fruit of action liable to be enjoyed willingly or unwillingly will be bitter and
against you. Whether goodness is recognized or not, do good and be good throughout life. This
alone pays you well to attain Chitta Suddhi and knowledge of the Self. Only those who have no
knowledge of the Self, i.e., the worldly-inclined, do not recognize good as a medium of
perfection through gradual evolution. Not so is the case with the spiritual-minded, for they know
fully well that to do good and to be good help them gain the goal of life, viz., God-realization.
Remember that the Lord does recognize and reward always the good people and good
actions. He actually lives and moves in them. The good man actually feels the Lord’s presence
in himself and around without a vestige of doubt. It is a mockery for a man to consider himself
good without being able to be conscious of God’s presence in him, with him and around him. Do
not question the benefit of being good and doing good when goodness is not recognized or
properly rewarded, for to work alone man has the right and not to the fruits - good or
bad - thereof.
From "May I answer that" by Swami Sivananda (1987-1963). More Informations on Swami Sivananda: on the Website of Divine Life Society, Photographs of Swami Sivananda, German Pages on Swami Sivananda