“Nothing is good or bad but by comparison.” – Thomas Fuller
It says in 1 Corinthians 10:23; Everything is lawful, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is lawful, but not everything builds others up. 10:24; Do not seek your own good, but the good of the other person. I do my best to stay focused on helping others and minimizing my own desires in the process. I wish it was this simple though, behind every good deed is the desire to receive something in return, albeit a great feeling that we have assisted another human being. No matter what it is, we always receive something for giving.
Therefore, there is no perfection when it comes to our spiritual condition. I have been the byproduct of my own punitive judgement at times whereas, I will be overly critical of my intentions. I will seriously question myself as to “Why” I helped another human being after the fact, especially when the person I assisted was ungrateful, hurtful or challenges my intention.
However, utilization of the tenth step, taking time to evaluate my actions, and speaking to a mentor or my spiritual advisor I always receive the reprieve I need. The truth is there is always some repayment that we receive for good deeds. It is a spiritual objective to keep the “self” minimized and not the reason for the assistance.
When we strive for living outside of the “Me, Me, Me…” syndrome we are living along spiritual lines. Life is good, life is rewarding!
Go, Go, Go…
Dan 🙂