I'm sorry, but this isn't about the random act of kindness, it's about getting the publicity for it. If they just wanted to fulfill the dying wish, did they need the camera? Did they need the media? Did they need to publicly present the tip? No. They could have just slipped the tip in with the paid bill and left. But no, because this is more about them, than it is about her or what their dead relative wanted.
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." --Matthew 6:1-4
That's what I would have done.
They weren't practicing their righteousness, they were fulfilling the last wish of a DEAD MAN.
If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
He's already dead, so technically this occurred after he got to heaven(or hell).
I agree with your objection. The other objections on this thread are knee-jerk stupid.
They should’ve just left the tip and let it be.