Genuineness, to me, is the living out of what we long for or connect with internally. The genuine person looks within him- or herself and identifies what is intrinsically important to them. They then act accordingly.
When we perform acts of service for reasons other than a genuine desire to help others, is this authentic? Politicians can be used as an example here. I can't know the ultimate motives of others, of course, but I find it interesting that many of our politicians become active in community service during campaign seasons. During the 2008 presidential campaign, with television cameras recording his every move, Barack Obama found time to help folks pile up sandbags in preparation for a flood. From the exposure I've had to information about Obama, I'm confident he does feel good in helping others, but I also find it interesting that this would happen during election season. I question how much this act of "service" was also an attempt to gain votes.
Religious followers often reach deep into their pockets to give financial contributions to their religious institutions. No doubt our country benefits when its people reach out to help one another. But, as a former church-attending, Bible-believing Christian, I can attest to hearing many, MANY sermons from pastors in which they taught their congregations that God operates under a "sew and reap" system. In other words, if believers will give financially to "God's work," God will supposedly "bless" the faithful financial donors with added financial prosperity. What, then, becomes the true motive in making these donations? To selflessly help others or to achieve financial benefits? (And possibly, knowingly or otherwise, to show others how "godly" they are?)
I think a fantastic example of genuine giving is the giving of something (time, effort, money, whatever...) that:
(a) benefits the recipient;
(b) provides no obvious benefit to the giver (other than perhaps the peace of mind that comes with doing a good deed for a fellow human being); and
(c)is done anonymously (when possible).
