Hello everyone in the wonderful hive blockchain. I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the weather wherever you are. Once again, I’m grateful to the hive learners’ community for giving us another opportunity to write about an amazing topic.

The hive learner’s community has again presented us with another amazing topic and I’m so glad to be participating in it. 

We live in a world where most people expect to get paid for every work they do. I mean, who doesn't want to get paid for the time and effort they put into something? I’ve had so many opportunities to exchange ideas with people of different age groups and when asked if they’d like to volunteer to do something, the next question most of them asked is “how much will I get?”. Even in the religious sector, people want to get paid for every little task they do. 

![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmPT2wSCSX2Li3o5X9bkjk6i6ckYaeMASXR7XNuGDwrW2w/image.jpeg)
[Source](https://pixabay.com/illustrations/volunteering-volunteer-hands-tree-7347096/)

However, some amazing people offer to do something without getting paid. They sacrifice their time, energy, money, and other important things, just to make sure they perform the task well. 

There are lots of benefits to gain, when you volunteer to do something. “Don’t always expect to get paid for the good things you do willingly”. This is one of the many things my mom used to tell my siblings and me when we were very young (she still reminds us even till now). If you’ve been following me and reading my articles, you’ll know how much I love my mom and how she has positively sharpened my life. Growing up, my mom taught her children so many good things, and one of them is how to do something good without expecting to get paid or without expecting a favor in return. She (my mom) is a holy childhood animator. She is in charge of taking care of the kids in church. Every Sunday, she buys snacks for them with her own money and also finds time to teach them the word of God. Once in a while, she takes them out so they’ll enjoy themselves and have fun. My mom is known by all the church members for her good behavior. She has received many awards and praises for her good acts. 

**Do I volunteer?**

Yes! I volunteer and I’m very proud of it. There are lots of benefits and blessings attached to being a volunteer. Volunteering to do something can be quite hard (due to some reasons like distance, busy schedules, finance, and so on). But when you think about those you are helping and the rewards attached to it, then you’ll know it is worth doing. 

**Why do I volunteer?**

As I said earlier, don’t always expect to get paid for the good things you do for people. There are three reasons why I volunteer; my mom’s lifestyle inspires me. Growing up, I’ve always wanted to follow in her footsteps and do the good things she tells me to do. Another reason why I volunteer is because of the blessings and benefits attached to it. I don’t get paid in expensive clothes, big cars, fancy gifts, or cash, but the benefits are enormous. And lastly, I volunteer because it’s a way to make people happy, and develop the society and world at large. 

**What do I volunteer for?**

I offer to do a lot of things for people without getting paid or expecting a favor in return, the first that comes to my mind or the one that is considered the most important are; 

**I am an altar server**
![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmY4mw6JwAP7PnZeiGwafrMDCPfHZUzgEf9vuAFo7z83wr/image.jpeg)
[Source](https://pixabay.com/photos/corpus-christi-feast-little-bells-3461102/)

An altar server is a person who assists the priest during the liturgy (mass). The altar servers help the priest by carrying books, candles, crucifix, and other things. 

I remember the first time I joined the association, I made lots of mistakes, but today, I’m the president of the altar servers association in my church. I control the affairs of all members, distribute duties for each person, and teach other members about the church doctrine and more about how to serve the priest on the Sanctus and how to handle sacred vessels. As an altar server and as the president of the association, asides from assisting the priest and controlling the members, I also represent my church in altar servers meetings within and outside the state. 

I also dedicate my Saturday evenings to teaching aspirants all they need to know; personally, I feel this is the most difficult part of being the altar server's president. There are times when I had to miss football matches (very important ones). 

I know I don’t get paid for doing all these, but I know I’m working for God and my reward is in heaven. Sometimes, it can be very difficult and stressful. There are times when I get punished and insulted for not doing things well, but I still continue happily and try to do it better next time. 

**I teach youths and kids how to play chess**
![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmcec6nFW8Pk1YL4DkYcUqueRvs6o5RcfrtLqHQAhn7nDx/image.jpeg)
[Source](https://pixabay.com/photos/chess-board-game-strategy-1080533/)

I love chess a lot; I spend a lot of time playing the board game. Although I'm not yet a grandmaster or a genius in the game, I’m not a newbie and I know a lot about the game. 

Every three months, the catholic sports organization in my town hosts a chess competition for both youths and kids. I used to be the only person that represented my church, but later on, my church priest asked if I could start teaching people how to play, so I wouldn’t be the only person. I started grooming youths and kids on how to play. Today, I’ve been able to teach 3 people who are now doing very well. 

**How have I benefited from being a volunteer**

As an altar server, I get to know more about my faith and the church doctrine. The association teaches its members the dos and don'ts guiding human life. As an altar server, I also get to be actively involved in the mass. 

I’ve also had the opportunity to travel to different places and meet new people. The association also creates an avenue for its members to learn new skills and have fun through programs and excursions. 

As the altar server president, I get to give speeches and talk to a lot of people. This has really helped me. 

**In conclusion**

As I said earlier, don’t always expect to get paid for every good thing you do. There are lots of enormous benefits attached to being a volunteer. One of the benefits of being a volunteer is that it can help you gain experience. By doing that, no matter how little it is, you are making someone happy, and that really matters.