What is our motivation?

[Whyme]

do we do good deeds to get material blessings from God or do we do them for love? Or both perhaps? 

[Starise]

1 hour ago, Whyme said:

do we do good deeds to get material blessings from God or do we do them for love? Or both perhaps? 

I would hope we do them because it's who we are regardless.

In my experience doing good deeds often expends material blessings. If a person stops along the road to help a motorist who has a flat, said motorist needs a tire and has no money. How does that help the person helping to gain materially? The story of the good Samaritan in the bible reflects this concept as well. We are never told the good Samaritan was reimbursed. Often helping someone else COSTS us something. This might be where the saying, "No good deed goes unpunished" comes from.

I'm not entirely seeing how we would feel more love if we do a good deed. I mean, God loves me regardless. That's it. Maybe the recipient of the deeds will think kindly of the giver. The Bible tells us not to let the right hand know what the left hand is doing, however there are people who relish "tooting their horn" to people after they do a good deed thinking it gives them a higher standing or will make them better liked. This would be a wrong motive IMHO. 

A genuine giver does it because they want to do it. They don't care to advertise it to the world. God knows. God says He will reward, yet this is not why we do it. We do it because this is who we are in Christ.

 

 

Edited April 7, 2021 by Starise

[johnthebaptist]

2 hours ago, Whyme said:

do we do good deeds to get material blessings from God or do we do them for love? Or both perhaps? 

The object isn't to go out and do as many good deeds as you can do, in an effort to make points with the Lord. The object is to help people who need help - do unto others as you'd have them do unto you.

[Arrabon]

@Whyme

For me, the motivation to help someone comes from a love for people and never thinking what will I get out of it.

Like the previous poster said it may well cost us something from our wallets, that we are never reimbursed for, because the person you help has no way to repay you, which to me is the best scenerio.

I helped a friend for years with gas money to get to work and back, and never saw a dime of it, and I told them I didn't want to be repaid.

They had enough stress in their life and I didn't want to add to it. I think that's called love.

Love always has a price, especially if you have children, grown or not, or if you have friends or neighbors.

I love the look on a persons face I help because you can see the relief all over their face, and their body relaxes from the stress they were feeling.

[Arrabon]

1 hour ago, Starise said:

A genuine giver does it because they want to do it. They don't care to advertise it to the world. God knows. God says He will reward, yet this is not why we do it. We do it because this is who we are in Christ.

@Starise

When I was younger with a family, my church helped us abundantly when I was laid off from work.

There was more food in the pantry than ever before, and my kids were all amazed at the generousity.

Edited April 7, 2021 by Arrabon

[Starise]

14 minutes ago, Arrabon said:

@Starise

When I was younger with a family, my church helped us abundantly when I was laid off from work.

There was more food in the pantry than ever before, and my kids were all amazed at the generousity.

Praise the Lords for the giving hearts of God's people!

I had a major health issue about 5 years ago which took me out of work. I used all of my vacation time and still had a deficit. Much like your example, my church took up a donation for me which more than covered the loss! This was not a small amount of money The church was not large or full of wealthy people making it all the more amazing! 

Sometimes God really responds through His people and giving. At that point in my life I was very thankful to receive the help.

The sad part of this that I feel must also be mentioned is many churches keep food kitchens and donations to help those in need. Sometimes opportunists come by these churches and try to get a handout when they are spending their money on booze or drugs or they don't really need the help as bad as they say they do. Unfortunately often a screening of the person is required to make sure the help is going where it is needed. One especially big red flag is when they show up and want cash instead of food. A wise church will not give cash to someone they don't know unless they are fully aware of the situation.

[Marathoner]

3 hours ago, Whyme said:

do we do good deeds to get material blessings from God or do we do them for love? Or both perhaps? 

Why do I love my neighbor? Because the Lord loved me when no one else could. I've walked in their shoes and I'll never lose sight of what it was like to be ostracized, shunned, and accused of all manner of wrongdoing. I love my neighbor because the Lord loved me first. 

Why do I give? Because the Lord gave to me even though I asked Him for nothing. He provides for me and so it's my joy and honor to give to others just as He gives to me. 

The Lord blessed me with the honor of walking in those works He ordained before I was born. These are the good deeds in Christ we're ordained to carry out while we toil on earth. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine it was possible to know and be known by God, until the Lord proved me wrong. 

Whatever I do, I do it because I love Him. His Spirit fills my heart with love. 

Edited April 7, 2021 by Marathoner

[Riverwalker]

We serve the Lord, and we do not do it to earn anything, for what greater reward is there than the Love of God which he has already given us

Revelation 4:9-11 (NASB) “And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne

Edited April 7, 2021 by Riverwalker

[missmuffet]

3 hours ago, Whyme said:

do we do good deeds to get material blessings from God or do we do them for love? Or both perhaps? 

Because we love God and want to be obedient to Him? Because we want to spend our eternity in heaven with God. 

[teddyv]

We are called to serve others.