Rewards Lost and Found?

Question

If you lost something important to you would you offer a reward. If you found something would you hope for a reward. I think to give a reward encourages honesty. Some people go to huge lengths to find an owner and it costs them to get it back. Some people loose very sentimental possesions and just say thanks and walk away.

Answer 1

We offered a reward when our cat was missing so I would say that I would offer one.  But there is no actual obligation to do so.  I can't say it encourages honesty given that the honest thing is to return what is not yours.  However I do think if someone incurs and expense in finding the rightful owner of something they should get their expenses back at least.  It is also always possible that the person who lost the thing does not have funds to make a big reward.   One lady we knew rewarded someone by baking a cake for them. They got mad.  Wonder if they realized she used her food money for at least 3 days to buy the best ingreedients, stood on her feet despite great pain and had to pay someone to take it to them. For her at 80+ that was a sacrifice that she made because she appreciated their returning something she cared about.

Answer 2

If you find something that isn't yours, you should return it.  Not for the possibility of a reward but because it is the morally right thing to do.

You have to think about how you would feel if you lost something of sentimental value---would you feel offended if the person who found the lost item, wanted a reward before they returned it to you?

We need more honesty in the world, you could lead the way!

Answer 3

ALL rewards come from heaven. Do whats' right.

Answer 4

I have found and returned 2 dogs and watching the reactions of their human companions was the greatest reward. I don't expect anything, but I trust in karma and so I hope that if I lost something that the favor would be returned to me and that the person would do it without expecting a reward. If they weren't expecting a reward I would be more inclined to give them a huge reward.