As I read John 15:12, some thoughts came to mind🙏
The desire to give back shows the inclination GOD has put in the hearts of men as mentioned in John 15:12, it’s just without CHRIST being in the heart of the giver, it remains a good cause but with wrong motive- self motive (- “I” did this good thing- while, reality is, good is from GOD and not from natural man - on the account of JESUS with Nicodemus, CHRIST brings to light this reality- Luke 18:19- “So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God”
There is truly nothing good in man left to him/herself- Rom 7:18) and thus, not acknowledging that would be to call GOD a liar (if we say we have no sin 1 John 1:8- and Romans 7:18 shows there is nothing good in the natural man.)
Also, sometimes one may give back to get praises of men (knowingly or unbeknownst to him/her may be getting satisfaction for recognition) I used to think I was naturally kind, and then I found out “every act of kindness comes from GOD” and it is very true, because “man is by nature cold, selfish, and unloving”
One may say well i’m naturally loving. Well, I would have said that too, until I started seeing what love really means 1 Cor 13, “love seeketh not its own” human beings cannot offer this kind of love left to self, because we’re naturally self seeking. John 15:13 - “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
Once CHRIST reigns in the heart, He radiates good as we walk with Him in the Spirit, but there is no natural “good” in us if we walk in the flesh.
As JESUS said, Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
The concept of Giving back comes from GOD- John 15:12 (how much has GOD loved you?)
The LORD has brought through you, understanding and good explanation on this matter between selfishness and godliness.