What's your motive

[UnderPar]

In the new testament it states:

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

My question is this.

If Christians are doing good deeds for the glory of God, and non believers for no glory. Which is better in the end.

The one who does good with a motive, or the one who does good without one.

 

[RC1970]

In the new testament it states:

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

My question is this.

If Christians are doing good deeds for the glory of God, and non believers for no glory. Which is better in the end.

The one who does good with a motive, or the one who does good without one.

It's not possible to do anything without a motive.

 

[alsughasoughaiuyfygh]

.

 

[Kenny'sID]

It's not possible to do anything without a motive.

With that absolute truth in mind, I wonder can the OP rephrase the question, or will it have to be withdrawn altogether?

I'll hold on any reply to it.

 

[Jesus4Ever]

Non-believers do it for the glory as themselves. They can feel like a good person then.

 

[UnderPar]

It's not possible to do anything without a motive.

The intent to see others happy from your actions is not a motive, it's apart of a healthy relationship. But the Christian who is motivated to act according to Gods will only to save someone, is not playing square.

 

[UnderPar]

Everyone has a motive whether it be for financial/interpersonal gain or for feeling good about oneself.

Ah charity, yes I know what you mean.

 

[Kenny'sID]

The intent to see others happy from your actions is not a motive,

Of course it is.

 

[Silmarien]

Are you a theist or an atheist?

If you're an atheist (or a deist who believes God is beyond good and evil), you would first need to examine the question of why is it objectively preferable to do good at all. I don't believe these stances are compatible with objective morality, so neither doing good with a motive nor doing it without one would be in any way better than the other.

If you're a theist, then I think the calculus changes. God and the Good are in a real way synonymous, there is no real distinction between yearning for goodness and yearning for God, and non-believers are simply unknowingly doing good deeds for the glory of God. So the question becomes: Which is better, doing something knowingly or unknowingly?

 

[Kenny'sID]

May we ask the motive for your question?

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

If I sacrifice myself by going to Hell in your place, so you can go to Heaven, my motives are noble I think.

 

[UnderPar]

Non-believers do it for the glory as themselves. They can feel like a good person then.

Yes this is true, but it is not the case for the expression of the desire to help someone. This I've seen in the lowest of the lows.

 

[UnderPar]

May we ask the motive for your question?

Curiosity.

It has no opposites.

 

[UnderPar]

If I sacrifice myself by going to Hell in your place, so you can go to Heaven, my motives are noble I think.

Did Jesus do that? Or are you speaking about yourself.

 

[Kenny'sID]

Curiosity.

OK, it seemed you were making a point, but I stand corrected.

 

[Christie insb]

I think God gives us a glimpse of the Big Picture, and the understanding that most of our endeavors do not matter one whit but that people are God's priority motivates us. I don't care if unbelievers do charitable acts too. They have their own reasons, but it is not a contest

 

[UnderPar]

I think God gives us a glimpse of the Big Picture, and the understanding that most of our endeavors do not matter one whit but that people are God's priority motivates us. I don't care if unbelievers do charitable acts too. They have their own reasons, but it is not a contest

I'm not talking about charity, just to do.

 

[UnderPar]

I'll be back later.

 

[UnderPar]

Of course it is.

You don't have to think positive to do good.

 

[Kenny'sID]

You don't have to think positive to do good.

We are talking motive here. Positive motives is just one of what could be many.

If I knew exactly, and clearly what you were pointing out to us, it would save time/confusion, and I/we could reply to that directly, but you insist it's just "curiosity" so I'll wait to see if it comes out eventually.