Motives

[Jason A]

I helped a homeless man, by giving him food and water. I wasn't looking for praise, admiration or anything else, just to help.

But my aunt has criticised my motives in wishing to help people. She says it's down to pride. She tells me that my main sins are pride and conceit.

Now, if I'm honest, I'm sure that, deep down, when I was helping the man, there was a sense of pride somewhere in the mix of motives. Altruim, yes, but I can't categoricaly deny the presence of pride. I'm not saying that such motives are right, but if I waited till my motives were completely pure, I'd never do anything. (Who would?)

It's OBviously better if pride isn't a motivating factor at all. But which is better? To help someone out of pride, or to not help them at all?

[Pastorj]

Check with your aunt to find out why she felt you had the wrong motive.

[Jason A]

Check with your aunt to find out why she felt you had the wrong motive.

Well, she oftens points out my faults - to help. If I question or resist criticizm, that itself is another expresion of pride.

[Pastorj]

Not knowing your aunt or the situation, I can't give you an answer. In general, we ought to be people who want to help out others. Pride comes in when you begin telling people about what you did.

[Jerry]

Someone who attempts to criticize you for all the good you do sounds like they've got pride issues of their own...

The Bible teaches we are to do good - we just need to make sure it is in accordance with Scripture and we are walking according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If that is the case, then we should OBey/do good regardless of our struggles or hidden underlying motivations. Ie. if you choose to do good regardless of how you feel, that is a good motivation - despite others' claims that you may be prideful. Your aunt does not know your heart, and ultimately you are accountable to God, not her.

[Jason A]

Someone who attempts to criticize you for all the good you do sounds like they've got pride issues of their own...

The Bible teaches we are to do good - we just need to make sure it is in accordance with Scripture and we are walking according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If that is the case, then we should OBey/do good regardless of our struggles or hidden underlying motivations. Ie. if you choose to do good regardless of how you feel, that is a good motivation - despite others' claims that you may be prideful. Your aunt does not know your heart, and ultimately you are accountable to God, not her.

Oh, by the way, I was giving the homeless man case as an example, not to boast of what I did.

Surely no-one's motives can be wholly pure or blameless? The man needing help didn't care what my motives were. If impure motives were a bar to action, surely no-one would do anything.

My aunt is often telling me of my weaknesses, and says I should be glad to have someone who will do such a service for me. She also thinks I take things too personally!

[Psalms18_28]

I helped a homeless man, by giving him food and water. I wasn't looking for praise, admiration or anything else, just to help.

But my aunt has criticised my motives in wishing to help people. She says it's down to pride. She tells me that my main sins are pride and conceit.

Now, if I'm honest, I'm sure that, deep down, when I was helping the man, there was a sense of pride somewhere in the mix of motives. Altruim, yes, but I can't categoricaly deny the presence of pride. I'm not saying that such motives are right, but if I waited till my motives were completely pure, I'd never do anything. (Who would?)

It's OBviously better if pride isn't a motivating factor at all. But which is better? To help someone out of pride, or to not help them at all?

It is great to do good! maybe your aunt thinks you believe good work will earn your salvation. alot of people believe in good work give them a pass to heaven but it doesn't (they always bring up good things they done when you mention the gospel). In fact, when you saved, you want to OBey and do good work, not out of fear you won't go to heaven but out of OBedience and your love for the Lord. If it is pride, it should be the right type of pride. The type of pride that bring glory to the Lord and not to yourself. We have pride for the Lord all the time

So I agree with one poster. Your aunt doesn't know your heart, but she may mean well. Ask her more about what she meant.

[amblivion]

Interesting that this was brought up. The sermon this morning was about motives. The pastor asked us to ask ourselves why we do things. Do we do things because we want that extra pat on the back or for our own personal gain, or are we doing things for Christ? Jason no one can judge another persons motives they can only speculate. There has to be a reason your aunt brought this up whether it be for her personal gain or is a true assessment. I would agree that you should definately ask your aunt in a loving way why she thinks you are prideful.

I do not know your heart, but I do believe sometimes people get pride mixed up with the feeling of satisfaction they get after doing the right thing.

[1Timothy115]

I helped a homeless man, by giving him food and water. I wasn't looking for praise, admiration or anything else, just to help.

But my aunt has criticised my motives in wishing to help people. She says it's down to pride. She tells me that my main sins are pride and conceit.

Now, if I'm honest, I'm sure that, deep down, when I was helping the man, there was a sense of pride somewhere in the mix of motives. Altruim, yes, but I can't categoricaly deny the presence of pride. I'm not saying that such motives are right, but if I waited till my motives were completely pure, I'd never do anything. (Who would?)

It's OBviously better if pride isn't a motivating factor at all. But which is better? To help someone out of pride, or to not help them at all?

Jason, you examine the first thought which occured when you decided to help the man. If that innitial thought is pleasing and glorifying the Lord out of gratitude for what He has done for you then I see no issue. If the thought was I'll receive something for it then your motive may be off base. I'll send you a PM from a study I did not long ago. I don't know that it will hit the target here but, I'll leave it to the Lord...Amen!

[JerryNumbers]

You've had several good answers. It all boils down to your motive, why you helped this man.

If you helped him to receive praises of man, it was wrong. If you helped him because you was able to and you love God, them your heart was in the right place. Only you have that answer.

These verses should be of help.

Mt 6:1

[Jason A]

You've had several good answers. It all boils down to your motive, why you helped this man.

If you helped him to receive praises of man, it was wrong. If you helped him because you was able to and you love God, them your heart was in the right place. Only you have that answer.

These verses should be of help.

Mt 6:1

[1Timothy115]

[Psalms18_28]

you should help him no matter what (if it is the for the right reasons. A wrong reason would like helping someone get abortion or something like that).Just because you need to make sure your heart in the right place doesn't mean you should neglect to help someone. It's not about rather you help someone or not. It's about your relationship with the Lord.

[JerryNumbers]

[kevinmiller]

Personally, and this is my opinion, but it sounds like your aunt needs to mind her own business.