The Three Fold Law

There is also something similar in Christian belief systems - namedly that giving alms (helping the poor, widows, orphans etc.) has favourable future impact. Here are some quotes from Ben Sira:
Store up almsgiving in your treasury, and it will rescue you from every disaster
Kindred (family) and helpers are for a time of trouble, but almsgiving rescues better than either.
I would hope that whatever one's beliefs are, people see the merit in helping those less fortunate. I do find it interesting though, this idea of only 'behaving' out of fear or cleverness - I think I prefer the idea that one can be ethical out of one's own free will. It's a more empowering idea. Certainly organized religion of any form brainwashing people into doing things out of fear or guilt is not something I smile upon. Anyway, I'm getting a little off-topic...