Engaged in a positive pursuit
Can one be happy without a purpose in life? It is an aristocratic idea that all individuals can and will accomplish greatness. Every person wishes to elevate their current position. Did the janitor dream of being a janitor as a child?
There will always be a working class. There will always be haves and have nots and the haves will always want more just the same as the have nots want more. Whether the "more" that is wanted is esteem from colleagues and friends or a better quality of life the desire is there.
It's a question of motive. One can claim whatever motive they want but that claimed motive may be an attempt to gain esteem from others therefore can not be trusted. Discovery of true motive requires much inward meditation and exploration. Motive is not arbitrarily chosen, picked out in a whim. Motive runs deep and is nearly unchangeable.
Motive to survive.
What motivates me?
The esteem of others is a large contributor in all my actions. I want a successful career to tell mom and dad I have done good and can take care of them so that my friends and family will see that I am one of the greats. To feel a cut above the rest.
Why read the scriptures? Do I believe reading them will help my quality of life.
We only do things when we believe they will be of benefit to ourselves. Nothing we do is selfless. We may choose to do things because it is selfless but our motive in that case is esteem from others. We are selfless so others will see our selflessness.
Do we read our scriptures so others will see us read and see our spirituality.
Self preservation fear and pride. These are my motives. These are not moral motives.
2 comments:
My motivation to go to my dead-end, 9 to 5 job is to receive a paycheck, to help provide for my family. Is this motive selfless? If not for my family, I would be more likely to cease my employment and pursue things that I WANT to do with my life and career. But, as you point out, this would qualify as a motive to survive.
I believe there are people who read and quote the scriptures so that others may see their spirituality and righteousness.
Jesus spoke very bluntly about these types of people:
"Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
"Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."
Matt. 6: 2, 5, 16
I am wary of people who openly put their "righteous" endeavors on display and am left to question their motives. If indeed their true motives are selfless, such activities would take place in private.
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