Christians are motivated by the need to reach heaven. They live their lives with this goal in mind. The goal is a selfish goal and everything they do that is perceived a "Christian act" is merely another step to fulfilling the selfish goal of reaching heaven.
Are Christians merely selfish people who live a life of self reward?
Are their deeds meaningless when they are after all only performed with a selfish goal in mind?
It is a bit like marrying a octogenarian millionaire in the hope that he/she dies soon after and leaves you everything. Good deeds are simply a means to an end for Christians.
2007-11-11 21:05:28 · 22 answers · asked by penster_x 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Marvin - 100% correct!
2007-11-11 21:10:01 · update #1
Christianity certainly does require good deeds. Take what Jesus said about charity see Zaccheus,
"Behold Lord, I will give half my goods to the poor. And if I have taken more from any man than I should, I will give it back four times as much as I took."
about forgiveness, about going the extra mile. You Christians are supposed be great interpretors. Jesus is telling you to be charitable.
2007-11-11 21:16:15 · update #2
You could say the same about everyone...
Who really does a good deed for truly altruistic reasons? It's merely a "means to an end" for anyone, even if the only thing you get out of it is a warm fuzzy feeling that you've helped someone else.
*Edit* Thanks Penster, for a second there I thought I'd been reading too much Nietzche...
2007-11-11 21:09:04 · answer #1 · answered by Marvin the pedantic martian 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some are, some aren't. If you're like me and are around people who claim they are Christian, but they don't act like one, then yes, all Christian good deeds are merely empty deeds. I really doubt that there are any people in the world who do good deeds just because they think it's the right thing and 'God is telling them to.'
Some Cristians are merely selfish people who live a life of self reward, or they're just scared shitless of the thought that they could go to hell if they don't do good deeds.
And yes, I believe that good deeds are meaningless when they are only preformed with a selfish goal in mind. I've been taught that you can't get into heaven only by doing good deeds. Actually, I've been taught that only if you believe in Christ and accept that he is your Lord and Savior, then you can go to heaven. There is no other way.
I'm just saying this because I'm tired of hearing people say that they're so good and they're going to heaven because they've done this, this, and that. And that is why I'm not Christian, and I don't like listening to the youth group leaders.
Hope that answered your question. I think that all I gave you was a rant. Sorry.
-Miran
2007-11-11 21:16:36 · answer #2 · answered by Miran Kuan 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's not a selfish deed if you are doing it from the bottom of your heart
Now if you think that doing the deed is going to get you into heaven && then bragging about it thaaaat's a different story
When you have a goal, do you put your whole heart into it?
That's the way most Christians are, they put their hearts into it knowing that it will pay off for them AS WELL AS the other person in the end (if that made sense)
It all just depends on what's in your heart
2007-11-11 21:10:30 · answer #3 · answered by lillette17 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Good deeds are still good deeds even if the motive is a perceived better afterlife. I believe the term is the "selfish saint" principle.
This is comparable to a humanist performing good deeds for humanitarian purposes only with no thought for reward in the afterlife. They do it beacuse they think it is the right thing to do.
2007-11-11 21:17:27 · answer #4 · answered by CTRL Freak 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any one who is born to die , It is after resurrection of Jesus Christ after crucified , people believed there is an eternal life after death.
Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ taught the people of this world but for me on one can enter the Kingdom of Heaven , He also told people love one another with out following these two commands none can enter heaven.
In order to reach heaven a Everlasting heaven , once should be fully prepared by following the principles of Christianity .
It may not be accounted as selfish.
2007-11-11 21:15:56 · answer #5 · answered by david j 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Christians who have actually READ the Bible know that GOOD WORKS DO NOT GET YOU TO HEAVEN!!! Read up on that!
PS...It's in Romans 3 if u care to read it Come on Marvin! You've never done a good deed because it was the right thing to do or you truly had compassion for someone and wanted to HELP???
PS again!! Yeah, we are supposed to be "charitable" but that doesn't mean that you are doing it to score points with God!
2007-11-11 21:08:25 · answer #6 · answered by o7mistique 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Christians are motivated by a love and gratitude to God who has already paid the debt for our sin.
The only action that can allow us to "reach" heaven is accepting Christ's sacrifice for our forgiveness.
We've been given life so abundantly full that we can't help but want to share it with others. We're taught to show mercy and do good out of love, not selfish motives.
If you truly know Christ, and all He's done for you, you will not want to live your life in any other way, than to do good for others.
Why is it that Christians are so hated, when they show more mercy and love to others than anyone else?
It's only because people are scared to admit there may be something to our beliefs, and that there may be Someone who will hold us accountable for our actions.
Why, as we are holding out our hands to help those around us, are people questioning our motives? Again, because it's a love and gratitude that you can't understand unless you've accepted it.
It's open and available to EVERYONE, it's FREE, it's LIFE-CHANGING.
Yeah, I can see how that would make one selfish! (Dripping with sarcasm).
2007-11-11 22:49:18 · answer #7 · answered by fisherhome2002 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is very little anyone does that is not selfish in some way. I don't see how a good deed cannot be seen as positive the matter what the motivation.
2007-11-11 21:10:53 · answer #8 · answered by Barbara Doll to you 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good deeds have nothing to do with getting to heaven. A Christian is saved through faith in Jesus Christ, not through good works. Doing good is not a basis for rewards in Christianity; obedience to God is.
Having said that, all Christians should be motivated to do good as a demonstration of God's love to others. Whilst good works don't save anyone a Christian who doesn't do good to others is a misnomer.
2007-11-11 21:14:13 · answer #9 · answered by Don 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
As you stated "Good deeds' what difference Would it make as long as they are good deeds. Would it be preferable to have a wrong done to you? Why judge a good act as being bad. It sounds more like you hate Christians. Get over it and do good to others not EVIL isn't there enough of that to go round.
2007-11-11 21:16:04 · answer #10 · answered by johnboy 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋