If you are doing good things just to gain favor with God, then are you REALLY doing God's work?

Question

As Christians we strive to follow Christ's teachings. We want to help others and do God's work. But quite often we may be doing things just because - deep down - we think we will gain favor with God. We also might be trying to gain favor with those around us. Indeed, when doing some good works, public recognition is unavoidable. (Of course, a Christian should always try to conceal their charitable efforts and contributions from everyone)

But my question is basically this: if we try to do God's work, and do things in His name, just because we think it will get us into heaven, then are we REALLY doing God's work?

Answer 1

Don't you see? Doing good things just to gain favor with god is the whole basis of Christianity. For centuries we were all warned that if we didn't we'd go to hell to scare us into doing good things for god. However, surely everyone that lived before Jesus came didn't all go to hell. As long as they were reasonably good people they probably went to heaven.

Answer 2

That is the major lie of Satan.
Good works NEVER earn you heaven.
The ONLY good thing we as humans can do to gain eternity in Heaven is to repent our sins to Almighty God, then ask Jesus into our hearts and lives as our ONE & ONLY personal Lord and Savior. Then and only then will all the sincere/earnest good works we do will find favor with Almighty God and Jesus Christ.

Yet, even as a Christian, Almighty God and Jesus Christ knows and reads the heart and our intentions, so only those good things we do for Almighty God and Jesus Christ find favor and reward in Heaven.

Anything we do, with our own profit, gain, or importance or for public accolades find no favor in Heaven nor in God's eyes.

Jesus says it best, "Let not your right hand know what your left hand is doing. Any who stand in the synagogues or on the street corners announcing or bragging and boasting over what they have done or given, have received all the reward they will ever receive."

We know that Almighty God will reward us for our private efforts while we are on Earth and when we reach Heaven. That is all that should matter. What we do for God will last.

Answer 3

Check out some developmental psychologists: Erickson and Maslow, e.g. they talk about this kind of thing.

Erickson noted that at a certain immature level of moral development, a kid will be good just so he can get brownie points: pat on the head, "Good boy." Gold stars. Eternal bliss. That kind of thing.

But he also noted that when/if a person matures beyond that, they can do good for the sake of doing good. That is, they do good because they know it's the right thing to do.

The same applies to Christians, man. The fundamenatlist churches are full of the first type of "good-boy" moralists. They wouldn't admit it in a million years, but listening to the things they say and watching how they conduct their lives, it's clear as a bell.

But not all Christians are fundamentalists. Some of the coolest people I know are strong Christians and they love and give of themselves out of the joy they have inside, and the knowledge that it's the right thing to do.

Answer 4

We cannot work our way into heaven. At the same time, we can't get there without doing good works. James and the writer of Hebrews both indicate we need something besides just believing. Hebrews 11: lists a lot that were saved by their faith but every one was accompanied with their works being listed as the reason they were justified.

Answer 5

I feel God is accepting and forgiving of everyone, whether they do good deeds or not. I think it's the personal motivation behind doing God's work. Is it mostly to get in good with God to get to heaven? If so, then the work is done out of selfishness and not selflessness. It's for personal gain and ones ego.

I believe the greatest and most fulfilling good deeds are done anonymously. The people you give to usually believe that God is looking out for them or answered their prayers, so to speak. That fills my heart with the greatest joy, as I know and God knows I did it for love of my fellow man. That will get me into heaven!

Answer 6

I think that overall things can be broken down into three categories as to why we do them.

1st - We do things because we fear God and don't want to disappoint him

2nd - Because we want blessing from God for doing our part

3rd - Because we love God and want to show our devotion to him by doing good works not expecting anything in return.

These three steps seem to always follow each other and it is that third step that many would like to reach in this life. As long as we are on the path and doing our best to progress then we are doing his work. All good things come from God no matter their initial motivation.

Answer 7

HMMMMM, good question, and I have to answer this way........ If done to gain favor it is not with a servants heart........ if done with a servants heart, then yes it is for Gods glory....... but, Jesus told the Apostles to NOT stop the man preaching on the street, becasue God had that mans work planned out too, it was still spreading the word....... sooooooooo, still, hmmmmmmm...... go in peace....... God bless

Answer 8

It requires a true and meaningful experience with God. Not pretending but a true change of your heart. I can't judge you or decide for you what is right or wrong. It is a personal relationship with God in your life that makes the difference. God knows whether you are serious or not and if not, too bad. IMNHO

Answer 9

I applaud your question!!

Can we provide service without the expectation of reward? Even the reward of eternal life in heaven?

Is THIS the reason we/you/me serve others?

What's wrong with this picture?

Does the Christian ethic boil-down to Divine Quid Pro Quo?

I can't accept that this is what God wants. There's more here... I CAN'T be all about me, about me and my eternal life. How un-Christ-like would it be to expect divine quid pro quo for service here on earth?

More questions than answers, I know. Sorry about that.

Excellent question.

With Regards

Answer 10

Works do not get anyone into heaven, Grace does. Grace comes from the Greek word that means gift. Gifts are not earned they are given freely and only have value if they are accepted. If a gift is given for services rendered it is not a gift but payment.