Good
It is interesting how in the Christmas (...I mean Hogswatch) song 'Santa Claus (or the Hogfather if you prefer) is coming to town has the refrain 'you better be good for goodness sake.' Now what this means depends on how you punctuate it. The meaning of 'you better be good, for goodness sake' is completely different from 'you better be good for goodness sake.' The former is referring to an internal compulsion deriving from the desire of gifts whereas the latter is referring to an external force deriving from its own self the force. Though it must be noted that both are acting towards the same ends namely goodness. However, one is using goodness as a means to an end whereas the other suggests that goodness should be an ends in itself. One must then ask the question whether both actions are truly good. An example, two men perform exactly the same good deed but while one man knows he will receive a reward or a reprieve iff (if and only) he performs the deed whereas the other does the deed purely because the deed is good. Can it then be said that both men performed a good deed or does the heart behind the actions matter?
Likewise with giving or tithing to the church. In many churches that I have attended a mini-sermon is preached every time collection is taken up. These chiefly seem to extol the prosperity doctrine 'Give and it will be given unto you.' What sort of reason is that? It's a selfish reason and our God isn't the God of the selfish but the selfless. You should give because it is good to give. You should give with a joyous heart or not at all. 'My God isn't short of cash Mister.' He doesn't need our money. Even if you don't ever receive the monetary blessing that the church seems to promise that is no reason to stop giving. Woe to those that have received here on earth for they have already received their reward.'
Finally, St Paul abjures (is that the correct word) the Thessalonians to 'never tire of doing what is right' (1 Thessalonians 3:13). If the only reason that we do good is for a blessing then it is easy to become bitter if we never see that blessing come. God deeds should be done for the sake of themselves. Even if a good deed remains unpraised and unrecognised it should still be done. Even if it brings persecution and condemnation. A good deed is done for its own sake not for the sake of praise. If any praise is sought then make sure it is from the praiseworthy for 'to receive praise from the praiseworthy is praise indeed.'
ps I'm back
Likewise with giving or tithing to the church. In many churches that I have attended a mini-sermon is preached every time collection is taken up. These chiefly seem to extol the prosperity doctrine 'Give and it will be given unto you.' What sort of reason is that? It's a selfish reason and our God isn't the God of the selfish but the selfless. You should give because it is good to give. You should give with a joyous heart or not at all. 'My God isn't short of cash Mister.' He doesn't need our money. Even if you don't ever receive the monetary blessing that the church seems to promise that is no reason to stop giving. Woe to those that have received here on earth for they have already received their reward.'
Finally, St Paul abjures (is that the correct word) the Thessalonians to 'never tire of doing what is right' (1 Thessalonians 3:13). If the only reason that we do good is for a blessing then it is easy to become bitter if we never see that blessing come. God deeds should be done for the sake of themselves. Even if a good deed remains unpraised and unrecognised it should still be done. Even if it brings persecution and condemnation. A good deed is done for its own sake not for the sake of praise. If any praise is sought then make sure it is from the praiseworthy for 'to receive praise from the praiseworthy is praise indeed.'
ps I'm back
