Doing the Right Thing for the Right Reason

Ecclesiastes is the real deal. It addresses such difficult discussions like why bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people (8:14) or why some good people die young and sinners die at a ripe old age (Ecc. 7:15). So then, on what grounds can we motivate others, especially our own children, to keep doing the right thing for the right reason if they receive no pragmatic benefit?

The first thing is to remind them about the chief end of man: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. We must continue to cast the vision that this life is not our own, neither is it our ultimate prize. There is an end game to life, and it lasts a long time. Many who are first here will be last in eternity.

Second, even if we are not promoted or recognized by others for doing the right thing, we have the satisfaction of knowing we did it right. Something happens to people who are filled with integrity. They carry themselves differently. This is not intentional but is a natural by-product of living a principled life. The destination really doesn’t matter because they find such personal value in the journey. There is an inner security and a quiet confidence that remains unimpressed by the world’s nods of approval or its condemning tongue, both of which may occur on the same day. Oh, for our children to experience this emotional and social refuge.

Third, it attests faith to the person of Christ and His sense of justice and equity. God sees everything from our briefest thoughts to our decisive actions. What’s more is, He remembers. When we do the right thing for the right reason, even though men may not see it or acknowledge it, God’s declares that He will reward openly (Matt. 6:4). In a day of selfies and self-promotion on social media, it takes great faith to continually look to God for recognition and approval rather than to man.

Finally, when we consciously choose to take the lowest seat, God usually moves slowly in His exaltation in order to reveal what is in our hearts. Do we go discouraged in waiting? Do we murmur and complain? Do we want to compromise and do it the world’s way? Often. Still, God uses this season between the now and not yet to deepen our understanding that without His grace constantly at work in our lives, we would turn back to our worldly scripting.

This month we are going to pray that our children—and us parents also—will walk in faithful obedience in doing the right thing for the right reason. No, we may not experience the applause of man. No, we may not be appreciated for all the quiet sacrifices. However, every single act glorifies our Creator and is being recorded by Someone whom we can never out give.

Please join us throughout the month as well as on the second Tuesday for a time of prayer and fasting. It is not too late to put your name on our list of ICHE prayer warriors. Email Kirk at ksmith@iche.org. We’ve also included some questions to help facilitate discussion during your devotional time.

1. Pray that our children’s main motivating force would be the glory that Christ receives when they seek to do the right thing.

• Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! –Psalms 115:1
• In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. –Matt. 5:16

(Question: 1) What does it mean to bring glory to God? 2) Do we do things to glorify ourselves or glorify God? Explain.)

2. Pray that our children will get a solid understanding that God sees everything. He not only judges the bad, but He also rewards the good.

• The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. –Psalms 11:4
• For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. –2 Chron. 16:9

(Question: Do you believe that nothing is hidden from God’s eyes? If so, how should that influence what we do when we our by ourselves? Have you thought that God is actually looking for people to bless? How should this affect your behavior?)

3. Pray that our children will not be intimidated by the culture around them but will constantly seek to do the right thing for the right reason.

• Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads. –Ez. 3:8 (KJV)
• And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you. –Josh 10:8
• My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. –Proverbs 1:10

(Question: Is it hard for you to do the right thing if others tease you for it? Explain.)

4. Pray that God will grace our children to stand on principle and be willing to wait for Him to reward in His time.

• Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; –Psalms 25:3
• knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. –Col. 3:24

(Question: Why do you think God sometimes waits to bless us when we do the right thing? What is He doing during this time?)

5. Pray that our children will gain a biblical understanding of how God rejoices when we walk by faith in His word.

• Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. –Matt. 15:28
• for we walk by faith, not by sight. –2 Cor. 5:7

(Question: Why is faith so important to God? How do we exhibit faith in our lives?)

6. Pray that our children will do the right thing for the right reason even if their efforts are not recognized or honored in this life.

• “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. –Matt. 6:2-4
• And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ –Matt. 25:40

(Question: Would you still try to do the right thing even if you knew there was no benefit in doing it? Why or why not? What happens in you when you do the right thing throughout your life?)

7. Pray that our children will not only understand doing the right thing for the right reason, but they might have discretion to do it at the right time.

• Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. –Ecc. 8:5
• I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work. –Ecc. 3:17

(Question: What process do you go through in making decisions? Why is timing so important in life?)

8. Pray that our children will understand that God is just. Though He may prolong blessing, His justice will bring it to pass.

• Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. –Is. 30:18
• But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness. –Is. 5:16

(Question: What does it mean that God is just? What impact should that have on you?)

9. Pray that our children will not make friends according to charisma and charm but will look for people who are always seeking to do the right thing for the right reason.

• A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. –Proverbs 29:5
• For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. –Romans 16:18

(Question: What do you look for in a friend? Do you think your friends act more like the world or like Christ? Explain)

10. Pray that our children will be endowed with discretion by the Holy Spirit to know what the right thing is in various situations in life.

• discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, –Proverbs 2:11
• O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” –2 Chron. 20:12

(Question: What is discretion? Why is it important?)

11. Pray that our children will do the right thing, based on the word of God and not on any pragmatic benefit to them personally.

• Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. –Ecc. 8:12
• But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” –Dan. 3:18

(Question: Does doing the right thing mean we will always see direct blessings from God? If not, why should we do it?)