Why Do You Do the Right Thing?

Have you ever thought about that question?  Do you do the right thing because "it's just the right thing to do?"  Perhaps you do the right thing because that's the way you were raised.  Maybe your tendency to do good things is motivated by your desire to be liked.  Consider this verse written about King Amaziah in 2 Chron. 25:2 - "He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a loyal heart."

It's commendable that Amaziah did a multitude of things that pleased the Lord.  After all, there were a good number of the kings of Judah who came before him that did great evil in the sight of the Lord.  For that reason, Amaziah was certainly an "upgrade" from some of what Judah had known in her past.  But was it enough for Amaziah to "do what was right in the sight of the Lord?"  Apparently not, because the writer was sure to add the final clause of the verse:  "but not with a loyal heart."

Here's my take on Amaziah.  As you read the rest of chapter 25, you'll find that Amaziah did seek the face of the Lord and that he did heed the advice of God's man for a while.  But just as soon as he defeated the Edomites, he must've felt that he didn't need God's help anymore.  For that reason, he brought the idols of the Edomites back home to Judah and started worshiping them.  Consequently, God's prophet came to him and asked, "Why have you sought the gods of the people, which could not rescue their own people from your hand?"  (v. 15)  Good question.

Here's the bottom line:  Amaziah did what was right in the sight of the Lord until he got what he wanted.  After that, he sensed no loyalty to God, but instead he turned aside to idols.  So then, he did what was right not because he loved God, but because he loved what God could do for him.  That sounds like much of what we hear in the "prosperity preaching" that floods the airwaves these days.  For that matter, it sounds like the way we too often approach our relationship with God.

Is that the reason you pray?  Is that the reason you read God's Word?  Is that the reason you show kindness to others?  Do you do those things because you desire Him above all others, or do you do them because you desire what He might do for you?  I think the words of the Apostle Paul would be appropriate here:  "Whether you eat or whether you drink or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31).  Let's live each moment for the glory of God, not because we're looking for something in return, but because we're in love with Him and we want to see His Name lifted far above all others.