It is love that defines good works. Not all ‘good’ works that people do are pleasing to God. Some people do Charity works that supposedly help the poor and marginalized people, with their personal worldly intentions. I heard that there are private Foundations or Groups out there who ask for donations, only to steal a lot of money from it to their own pockets. While the other groups or individuals might actually be helping the oppressed persons, they are doing it because they are seeking recognition, popularity, attention, and be honored by the citizens here in the world. They only do these ‘good’ works to appear heroic, for fame, or vainglory. And these means that it is not true love that drives these groups or individuals to do charity help. No matter how big the ‘mission’ or ‘help’ is, if there’s no love in it for our people, God does not see it as ‘good’ work.
Jesus said that these people who seek earthly reward for their work is already recognized, and therefore, God wouldn’t be rewarding them anymore:
“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” (Matthew 6:5-6)
Hypocrites don’t just do hypocrisy while praying, but in pretending to be doing well or being good too.
Let us be reminded through these Bible verses on how to do good works with love… by having Jesus in our minds, for it is Him we are pleasing and to whom we are doing these actions for:
“Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous* will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:34-40)
Because if it is for ourselves or ego that want to benefit from doing ‘good’:
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41)
We pray that great things arise from our works and deeds that are filled with love, as our pleasing offering to Jesus our God.
She graduated cum laude from the University of Santo Tomas, the country's Pontifical and Catholic university, with an AB in Legal Management and minor units in Theology.
As an unmarried woman, prayer holds a central place in her daily life, with a focus on the Rosary and the Divine Office. Embodying her faith, she emphasizes the growth of her inner spiritual life, guided by the wisdom of Carmelite spirituality.
God manifested to her in a unique and radical manner, which made her know Who He truly is and led her to total surrender of her life to Him.
She has studied the Bible with her family, developing a particular fondness for the Old Testament.
Her adorable and intelligent toy poodle is a delightful companion in her daily life, bringing warmth and joy to her home.
Her hobbies include reading about everything, learning Japanese and German, listening to music and playing the flute.
In her leisure time, she enjoys gaming on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch OLED, Nintendo 3DS, iOS and OS, and collecting things related to PlayStation and Nintendo.
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