No white; no black; all I see is grey

A random thought while doing my GP essay: moral code states that we should help others in need. in other words, it is something expected of us, and that it is ethically wrong not to do so. however, it also states that we should never look a gift horse in the mouth and complain about what we receive or don't receive from others. so basically, we are morally obligated to help, but simultaneously morally obligated not to expect it.

the moral code contradicts itself; what kind of ramifications does it have on our lives? there are two possible conclusions we can draw from this:

1. the moral code is flawed. we have been making life decisions all this while based on a system of rules which is either dysfunctional or incomplete. either way, there seems to be no logical reason why we should follow it.
2. the moral code is meant to be a guideline. it is not so much a set of rules rather than a set of suggestions and recommendations which we can choose to follow or not. in that case, there should be no penalty for not following the moral code, and thus no punishment for conventionally "wrong" deeds.

either way, the moral code becomes severely undermined, perhaps even rendered useless. the already grey distinction between good and evil is once again blurred. perhaps the nihilists were right all along.