Why Did You Do It?

We live in a world of motion. Everyone, everything, is doing something. Even a piece of hard wood or stone, scientists tell us, is made up of moving par­ticles. People are everlastingly on the go. We go to school. We go to church. We go to meetings. We go to football games. We go to picnics. We go.

What we do is important. We help someone carry a bundle. We bring someone a drink of water. We run an errand for a friend or relative. We help clean up our room. We rake the leaves in our yard. It is important that we keep busy and do things.

But there is something more important than just doing. In God's sight, it is why we do them that counts. What we do is very important. But why we do it is much more important. Did we run those errands, carry those bundles, clean those rooms for a reward? Or did we do those things out of the goodness of our heart? Jesus said, ". . . whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you belong to Christ...he shall not lose his reward."

There are different reasons why we do things. Some are simply to help others. Some please ourselves only. Some we have to do. Then some, because we belong to Christ.

To do a thing in Christ's name is its own reward. We don't even expect to hear a "Thank you!" To extend a helping hand in his name is the greatest reward we can gain. An earthly reward or even a "Thank you" is a sign of approval. What greater approval is there than the assurance that we have won the praise of God?

I do like to receive thanks for my deeds, O God, but I am trying harder all the time to do things in your name.