TODAY IS…

the day to do the right things for the right reason.

“They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.”  Psalm 35:12 KJV

Answer this question: “Are you nice to others?”

Most of us probably answered “Yes.”

Now answer this one: “Why?”

Perhaps most of us answered, “Because God wants us to love one another.”

That would be the right reason and each one of us should strive to do things that are not only the right thing to do, we should also desire to do them for the right reason.

Sometimes pride gets in our way, though.

Perhaps if we think about it, we can remember being a little irritated when we did something nice for someone and it went unnoticed, or worse, it appeared to be unappreciated. David expresses dismay at not being treated in the same manner he treated others.

“Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them. I denied myself by fasting for them, but my prayers returned unanswered.” (Psalm 35:13 NLT).

Poor David.

He did the right thing, but the others did not. Should that be a concern of his?

Certainly we can only go through this life living our lives in a manner which is acceptable to God, correct? We cannot be – nor are we – held responsible for someone else. If we treat someone the way we wish for them to treat us – as the Bible teaches us – and we get upset when they do not act the same way in kind, then we have let our pride get in the way and it makes what we did unacceptable to God because it was done for the wrong reason.

People will not always respond to the things that we say or do in a manner that we like, or would expect. If this occurs, we need to pray for them, not be angry, or upset with them.

Jesus was very, very clear on this subject when He said, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in Heaven.” (Matthew 6:1 NASB).

The things that we do for others should be done because of who we are and what is in our heart. Pride should not be allowed to expect payment or reward for them. If we have truly learned what God wants us to learn, the way we treat others and the kindnesses we display will be automatic and who is watching, noticing, or in a position to reward us will never be an issue.

We probably all know someone who regularly does things for others, but always seems to make sure that other people are aware of what they do. Jesus said, “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing…” (Matthew 6:3 NASB).

Never let pride keep you from doing the right thing for the right reason.

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Taken from “TODAY IS….A Gift From God”, (C) 2013 Tony Casson