Mankind's Predicament

My cousin Philip is in China through a study abroad program right now. Check out his last two blogs re: a desperate situation near where he lives, it's worth the read. www.philsjourneys.blogspot.com.

Reading it made me wonder: Is helping others to survive even when survival is questionable in quality worth it? How much do I value life? More specifically...people? What am I willing to give and do for another person? I'm not guaranteed that that person will become a responsible citizen or a good person or even thankful. Is doing good because it's the right thing enough for me? Who am I trying to please when I give money or time? My own ego? My feelings of guilt for being born in a land of plenty? God?