The hip hop “artist” Drake released a new video this week for a song entitled God’s Plan. You can watch it here. (Now, I have nothing against Drake personally, although I do think that hip hop music and culture is objectively detrimental for society and something we know is generally enjoyed by the low IQ. I will write more on this soon). In the video, Drake goes around handing out money to “surprised” people in need, telling us how he is somehow fulfilling God’s plan. It is certainly a nice thing to do and I’m happy for those people who received these gifts. I saw comments around the internet that stated, “Now Drake is an example of a real man,” “Drake is the man. Let’s follow his example,” and others in a similar vein.

Now, outwardly this looked like a wonderful act of charity, but it wasn’t. True charity does not draw attention to itself, but rather, is something done for the welfare of others without looking to accrue praise or accolades for oneself; it is something done from pure motives without the need to signal our virtue to others. We should want to help out of genuine concern for others, not what we can also gain in the meantime.

I worked for a large financial institution for almost three decades. Around Christmas time each year there would be incredible pressure put on all employees, by management, to give to the United Way and it’s various causes. To the casual onlooker this seemed like a worthy endeavour for a business to undertake in order to “give back” to its community. But at it’s heart, it was a selfish campaign and anything but real charity. The men in charge cared not one whit for their community or the plight of the downtrodden; this was obvious to all of us in the way they carried themselves. But pressuring others to give so they could take the credit for raising large sums in the name of the bank was their way of virtue-signalling their goodness to all. If you gave at a certain level you had your name printed in a nice glossy magazine for all to see and be amazed by. It was also a well-known secret that there was a kickback scheme where the charity would fund the private schools of the children of certain executives in return for pressuring higher levels of giving. This is not charity; this is sinister.

I would encourage all to give; for all to be charitable to those less fortunate. But do it in a manner where the true motive is not to receive praise from your peers. Do it quietly. Do it humbly. Do it in a way that escapes the recognition of others. Do it with a pure heart and from pure motives. Don’t do it publicly in order to receive the adoration and commendations of others. Don’t do it from a sense of duty, but rather, from a heart truly motivated by a humble concern for the misfortune of others. Only from actions where there is nothing to gain personally, does true charity spring.

I’m glad Drake helped out those people if they truly were in need. But $1 million was very little to spend on the goodwill it created for his image and brand. At the end of the day, it was cheap advertising.