I really need your thoughts on this...

MichiganWhitetails74 · 02-15-2008, 08:45 PM

Please take the time to read this and let me know your feelings....

I know this is a scenario we have all experienced and I feel guilty for the thoughts I have had...

Before I get started ...I know when I was a young boy I would have taken advantage of this situation and I pray for forgiveness for things I did when I was younger.. when I wastrying to find my place...too busy being young and running a little wild...

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The other day I bought a 200 dollar gun... with a 200 dollar scope on it...the gun and scope were put on in the back of the store..When I got to the counter the girl at Dunhams Sports only rang up the gun..she said " 206.95 sir...I knew I had 400 + dollars worth of gun in my gun case (that she could not see)...and I thought...should I take this as a gift and run? I DID NOT RUN...I told the lady you do not charge me for the scope mam...She said thank you and I gave her another 200 dollars...

I walked out and felt great about being honest..(But then I thought maybe I will be returned with a favor from God for being honest...and then I felt guilty for wanting something in return...

I ordered some broadheads on ebay the other day and received a package with more than what I ordered for the same price...then I thought...God was paying me back for my honesty on the gun?....I felt guilty again....for thinking the mistake on the broadheads was a gift from God....But it wasn't...So I sent an email and told them I received more than what I ordered...My issue is that....yes I am being honest...because I know its the right thing in Gods eyes....and its just the right thing to do......but I feel guilty because I want to be rewarded for all of this honesty....I know God pays us back for our actions...and I do not have all of the versus that explain this ....but....I just feel bad that I think when I do something good.... God will pay me back 10 fold...I don't want to feel greedy like this...the only reason I feel like I want something in return... is so I can give it to my wife and kids.....I don't now...I just pray and wish I did not have these feelings....what are your thoughts....??

OkieArcher · 02-15-2008, 09:44 PM

If all God gave you, for doing the right thing was forgiveness and salvation through trusting him, would'nt that be enough??

mudhead1s wife · 02-15-2008, 09:55 PM

I can honestly say I have felt this way before. And it does make you feel really bad. I don't know if I can offer any words of wisdom as to how to fix this except to pray and pray often for God to help you with this temptation. But I will tell you this you did the right thing and repented when you realized you were wrong. I think you are on the right track. Hang in there.

Kosherboy · 02-15-2008, 10:16 PM

Well My 2 cents, coming from a different idiosyncrasy than Christian American, You have those feelings because you were taught in church to expect God to repay you for every good deed you do, In Christian Judaism as well as Judaism we do not expect to be pay for things that are good that we should be doing to begin with.
Our rewards for good deeds comes in the after life or in the Kingdom.
But yes God gets very close to you when you do the things he expects you to do, so blessings are automatic, because you are a prince in the kingdom of Heaven, because everything that God has created belongs to you to begin with and for many other reasons.
So Give and do the deeds that God has prepared for you beforehand Ephesians 2;10 and don't expect anything and then things will happen.
God tested you twice, there might be a 3rd. and he expected you to write here so that we could tell you how it is and that will bring God's blessings upon you.

Shalom

Turkey Fife · 02-15-2008, 10:53 PM

You did the right thing!
I believe it normal for all of us to want repaid for doing right. The Bible say its our Reasonable Service(What we aught to do) You have a good Heart/Mind God has said in his word when we give we will get it back Shaken togeather, Running Over. You did what Jesus would do, Not bad Company!!!!!

God Bless you!

TF

Chuck7 · 02-16-2008, 02:23 AM

Well My 2 cents, coming from a different idiosyncrasy than Christian American, You have those feelings because you were taught in church to expect God to repay you for every good deed you do,Kosherboy

Amen brotehr ..my wife an dI were just discussing that on ..That is huge with our prosperity preachers..On the other hand..I've recieved almost immediately for deeds I'e done or sown..It is aprincpal of God .BU Tshoul dnot be made a religion..yes sir..we do serve a gracious God..I think we have all been tested like you brother ..SOme of my big temptaatins is when mechanics over charge me and leave a Snap On tool under the hood of my car..BUT.. I drive back and give them their tool..Congrads on doing the right things ...

MichiganWhitetails74 · 02-16-2008, 11:19 AM

That would be enough YES!!

CalHunter · 02-16-2008, 11:34 AM

I've always felt like being honest was its' own reward. You know you did the right thing and have a sense of pride in your ethics and in doing what's right. Getting a reward for being honest would sort of cheapen the feeling of being honest for its' own sake. This may not make things any easier for you or help you at all but its' my .02 FWIW.

DaveH · 02-16-2008, 11:18 PM

I believe the God does reward us for doing the right thing, but it might be something you never even know about - for example, He could cause you to miss an accident that you were headed into or something similar. Our best works are as filthy rags compared to what He has given us and yet, out human nature wants to be rewarded for the little bit of good we do. Whether we see the reward, get it (or lose it) later in Heaven or otherwise pales when we think of what our Lord did for us.