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Post by Once4all on May 8, 2011 23:31:36 GMT -5
Two Christians. One does a good deed for the other. The one doing the deed says to the other, "I've done this for you, now what are you going to do for me?"
Is that a Christian attitude, to expect reciprocation for a good deed?
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Post by Allyn on May 9, 2011 6:59:40 GMT -5
Two Christians. One does a good deed for the other. The one doing the deed says to the other, "I've done this for you, now what are you going to do for me?" Is that a Christian attitude, to expect reciprocation for a good deed? Not in my opinion. The Bible clearly says the reward for our good deeds comes from the Father. We are to do good deeds in secret. The recipient will know whether or not a good deed is done and he may choose to repay a good deed if he has the means but he is not obligated by any means. |
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Post by Once4all on May 9, 2011 16:58:38 GMT -5
Two Christians. One does a good deed for the other. The one doing the deed says to the other, "I've done this for you, now what are you going to do for me?" Is that a Christian attitude, to expect reciprocation for a good deed? Not in my opinion. The Bible clearly says the reward for our good deeds comes from the Father. We are to do good deeds in secret. The recipient will know whether or not a good deed is done and he may choose to repay a good deed if he has the means but he is not obligated by any means. That is my opinion, too, Allyn. And that's why a hymn we sang in church yesterday didn't sit right with me. Some of the words: I gave, I gave My life for thee, what hast thou given for Me?
I left, I left it all for thee, hast thou left aught for Me?
I’ve borne, I’ve borne it all for thee, what hast thou borne for Me?
I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee, what hast thou brought to Me? The general concept, as far as I can determine, is in Matthew 19:29 and Mark 10:29; Matthew 25:40; Matthew 18:24-35. While the above verses might be used to construct such an idea as outlined in the hymn, I think it would be done so incorrectly. The general teaching of Jesus is one of not expecting anything in return: (Luke 6:35 NASB) "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. I guess it's debatable whether that pertains only to your enemies, but that wouldn't really make sense if it did. |
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Post by Allyn on May 9, 2011 19:06:24 GMT -5
I have probably sung that song a hundred times or more over the years and never really listened to the words in that way. I guess my thought is that whatever we do unto the least of these we do to Christ. At least that might be one way to look at it.
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Post by Morris on May 9, 2011 19:22:14 GMT -5
Two Christians. One does a good deed for the other. The one doing the deed says to the other, "I've done this for you, now what are you going to do for me?" "Kindly ask that you never do a good deed for me again"  Actually, I won't even call that a good deed. It was more of a business transaction; a service for compensation. |
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Post by Once4all on May 9, 2011 20:31:47 GMT -5
I have probably sung that song a hundred times or more over the years and never really listened to the words in that way. I guess my thought is that whatever we do unto the least of these we do to Christ. At least that might be one way to look at it. Absolutely! But treating others as though we were interacting with Christ is not the same concept as Jesus saying, "I gave you my life, so what are you giving me in return?" The lyrics to the hymn are written as such that it is Jesus talking, saying those things. It is not presented as a "do unto others" concept but as a "what have you done for me?" concept. It's the difference between the fruit of a changed heart and the fruit of an obligation. The hymn speaks of obligation. The difference is subtle and maybe I'm being pedantic. I just can't imagine Jesus saying to someone, "Look, I healed you. Now what do I get out of this?" |
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Post by Morris on May 10, 2011 10:50:57 GMT -5
As to the verse in that hymn, I think it has more to do with greatness of what God has done. What is our life compared to what Christ gave up for us? What do we leave compared to what He left? Can we bare the load that He bore? And what gifts could we possibly offer God when He has all to give?
That's my thoughts on it anyway.
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