Using up your good deeds

1

I recently met some people who believe that receiving any favor, benefit, or gift from others means they are using up their accumulated good karma or merit, and thus depleting it. Because of this belief, they avoid accepting food offered by others, refrain from taking gifts, and generally reject acts of kindness directed toward them.

This is wrong view definitely

2

When people offer us help we should rejoice in their great kusala.

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3

According to MN14 Cula-dukkhakkhandha Sutta: The Lesser Mass of Stress, this kind of view was common among ascetics during the Buddha’s time. While the sutta focuses more directly on self-inflicted suffering, self-denial of generosity might stem from a similar line of thinking. In essence, this attitude overlooks several important aspects of kamma:

  • People need the results of good kamma to keep living with ease.
  • No one can truly know how much good kamma they have stored.
  • Even with a store of good kamma, its results can’t be summoned at will — kamma doesn’t work like that.
  • Refusing the good deeds of others is itself an intentional act, and therefore generates new kamma.
  • Those who receive good deeds can choose to do more good in return, effectively “refilling” their store.
  • The development of the mind influences how kamma bears fruit — as illustrated in the Simile of the Lump of Salt- AN3.99.