Is there such a concept in halacha/shas that describes a person who thinks he is doing something good but , in fact, there is no beneficiary of his goodness and thus his good deed in considered misplaced?
Answer:
Certainly.
The Gemara (Bava Kama 16b) writes that somebody who gives charity to poor people who are unworthy of the donation does not receive any dispensation for his good deed.
Meaning, although his intention was for the good, because the recipient was unworthy, the deed is not considered a good deed.
It is interesting to note that by contrast, where a person has intention to do a good deed, but does not manage to perform the action, Hashem “joins deed to thought,” and the thought itself is rewarded. It appears that a misguided deed, even with good intention, does not have this virtue.
Best wishes.
