Only 2 reasons to do things

There are only two reasons to perform any action in this world.  One is for yourself and the other is for God.


Now let's assume that you, like myself, are undecided on if there is a God.  If you don't believe in God then everything you do is for yourself.  I can hear, "But Michael what if I give money to the poor?"  I ask why did you do this?  Probable answer is that it makes you feel better, or because they need help.  This implies that you have a base level knowledge of what is right and wrong or good and bad.  Where did you get that understanding?  If you want a better explanation of this than I could ever hope to give then I suggest you read C.S. Lewis "Mere Christianity."  The summary of the book is that there is a Moral Code built into each of us that was placed there by a Creator.  An intelligent mind that is apart from everyday action that defines good and bad, yet leaves us free to choose whether or not to obey.  So without a belief in God, doing things for others is only for yourself.  In fact everything you do is for yourself even the things you thinly veil in altruistic intentions.  Because at the base it is to make you feel good or better about yourself.  So why does it make you feel better?  I submit that it's because of a sense of right and wrong that is instilled.  This goes beyond what you have been taught or herd instinct.  Often the thing that is presented as right is tremendously more difficult to perform than that which is wrong.

More to come...?