Is This Attitude Sinful?

[FAH]

If you go about undertaking tasks for other people JUST for the thanks they will give you, not for the help you will be doing them, have you committed a sin?
You have done a act of kindness towards the person however if your only doing that kind act for the praise and thanks you will get have you sinned?

 

[ibo]

If you go about undertaking tasks for other people JUST for the thanks they will give you, not for the help you will be doing them, have you committed a sin?
You have done a act of kindness towards the person however if your only doing that kind act for the praise and thanks you will get have you sinned?

I think the 10 commandments are enough. We do not need to invent more sins.I do not see how that could be a sin.

If you give money to a poor person, he does not care for your intentions. Better give him to receive praise than not to give anything for the Glory of God.

 

[HerrZJA]

I wouldn’t say it’s sinful, as long as it isn’t showy.

[BIBLEDRB]Matthew 6:3[/BIBLEDRB]

 

[Saburo]

If you go about undertaking tasks for other people JUST for the thanks they will give you, not for the help you will be doing them, have you committed a sin?
You have done a act of kindness towards the person however if your only doing that kind act for the praise and thanks you will get have you sinned?

I have heard many an athiest claim this is the only reason Christians do good to others, but I have never heard one of them explain how to eat praise or pay bills with thanks. In fact, the idea that someone would exert real effort solely out of a thirst for a few words of thanks is so preposterous that it doesn’t merit much consideration.

On the other hand, there is an entire political party that seeks praise for the effortless act of stealing from one half of the population in the form of income tax and handing it to the other. They pretend to be very generous (with other people’s money) and continue to receive their thanks in the form of votes. Seems like sin to me.

 

[jochoa]

If you go about undertaking tasks for other people JUST for the thanks they will give you, not for the help you will be doing them, have you committed a sin?
You have done a act of kindness towards the person however if your only doing that kind act for the praise and thanks you will get have you sinned?

Deep Thoughts my Friend!

First, if you are attempting to determine sinfulness in my/others thoughts, then you should consider where sinfulness lies in you. (James 4:12) There are MANY factors to consider when determining sinfulness, leave it to one’s self, God, and appointed authorities. Or you could state the situation in the first person.

Second, to answer the question directly, I would check the quality of the behavior, thought, and motivation with the greatest commandment: Love God (Always be patient, kind, and motivated for God).
Given I was patient, kind, and motivated by praise from others, then yes it is a sin because the motivation I chose was not God. The natural consequence from this sin is difficult to perceive. Since seeking praise from others is exhaustible because it is dependent on another person, the moment the praise or other person passes, not only will fatigue quickly follow, there is also a tendency to generate stress and strife in the relationship from lack of “desired” praise.

 

[flower_lady]

The love that we show or give to each other should be from the heart. Unconditional love, meaning not expecting anything in return. However even when dealing with children, to give a reward is a good thing it gives them the insentive to continue to do the good thing or to thrive to do better, but if you seek souly your reward on earth or do things for the show of it, you have already received your reward. No need to look for a reward from God for the act, or deed. I personally would rather have God’s reward. Now, if you do something for someone and it is from your heart and they show thanks and gratitude or reward you, you should feel good about it, that’s different. They are letting you know they are grateful for what you have done. That’s a good thing on their behalf. That should make you happy to know that they appreciated what you have done. Nothing wron with that. I hope I have not confused you. Brenda

 

[JRKH]

If you go about undertaking tasks for other people JUST for the thanks they will give you, not for the help you will be doing them, have you committed a sin?
You have done a act of kindness towards the person however if your only doing that kind act for the praise and thanks you will get have you sinned?

The question is a bit complicated, because of the different ways to view “sin”

“Sin” from the Greek “Hamartano”, doesn’t just mean breaking a rule…It means: “error”…“missing the mark”…“Having no part in”.

However - most people DO equate sin with the violation of God’s commands…So
In the case of doing something for the selfish reason of gaining praise, one has not broken any rule…So the answer is no you have not “sinned” in this sense.

But the thing is that, while one has not “sinned” (violated a law), neither has one hit the mark.

Jesus said that if someone does something for the notice and praise of others, they have already received their reward…Better to do things in secret and thereby build up treasure in heaven.
Of course if one does something for another - not for pay or praise, but rather out of love of neighbor and of God - and receives thanks from the other this does not negate the treasure in heaven. It has to do with intent.

So - if you ONLY do things for those who will praise you, then you have “Missed the mark”; you gain no treasure in heaven and so you “have no part in” heaven based on these works…

In the final analysis, the whole matter resolves itself down to Love…
Do - or don’t do - out of Love.
Expect no thanks, but graciously accept any offered.
Keep the focus on God, on Love and on going Good for the sake of the kingdom.

THAT is hitting the mark. That is having a share in. That is keeping the law - of Love…

Peace
James

 

[Jim_Roberts]

If you go about undertaking tasks for other people JUST for the thanks they will give you, not for the help you will be doing them, have you committed a sin?
You have done a act of kindness towards the person however if your only doing that kind act for the praise and thanks you will get have you sinned?

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No, you have not commited a sin, but I would say it is PRIDE that is evident. You won’t have sinned, but your PRIDE is interfering with your thoughts.

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JESUS I TRUST IN YOU

 

[Joan1969]

If you go about undertaking tasks for other people JUST for the thanks they will give you, not for the help you will be doing them, have you committed a sin?
You have done a act of kindness towards the person however if your only doing that kind act for the praise and thanks you will get have you sinned?

Hi Fah,

I would say it’s a venial sin, but it may be slight. Some scrupulous people might assume that because they take pleasure in gratitude their charity “doesn’t count”. But most of us do good works because we honestly want to do for others, and there is merit in that, even if we also find pleasure in the gratitude we get. We are human and we have our social responses.

Where the person is doing good just for a social benefit or public praise, the good act is meritless, as per the Gospel.

God Bless,
Joan