Selfish Goodness by G. W. Colcord

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 27, 1870

Selfish Goodness.

By G. W. Colcord

Is this a contradiction of terms? At first it may so appear; but if we examine the matter, I think we shall find that there is that in this world which is properly described by these words.

1. Selfish goodness may be defined as that which claims to be good, and which very often deceivingly appears to be good; but, because of the union of that which under other circumstances would be good, with selfishness, is decidedly evil. In other words, if “selfish goodness” be personified, it may truthfully be termed hypocrisy.

2. This world is rife with acts that savor much of selfishness; and it is not unfrequent that these actions are made to appear as unselfish, by being garbed in a mantle of professedly good and benevolent motives.

Take, for example, that youth who has but just crossed the line of accountability: Why does he obey the command of his parents? You may be ready to answer, Because he loves to do as he is bidden. To be sure, he obeys the command to the letter; but see the frowns on his brow; behold those ugly contortions of countenance; what do they indicate? Ah! too true it is, selfishness lies at the foundation of all. Were it not for fear of the penalty, he would not obey the command of his parents in the least. His obedience to just requirements is right; but, when actions are performed in compliance with a given mandate, solely to avoid penalties, such obedience is not the fruit of the spirit of goodness, but wholly selfish.

Again, behold that young man seeking employment of a thorough-going, God-honoring husbandman. The farmer is wealthy; and his home is truly inviting. The laborer offers his services, and is hired one month on trial. How faithful! how kind and obliging he is! He puts forth his best endeavors to please his employer. At the close of the month, this seemingly good and unselfish young man is engaged to labor upon the farm of this kind, Christian gentleman for a term of months; and what is the result? Sad to behold, a change for the worse is manifest! He is no longer a faithful servant in the household, but is surly and slothful, and cares for no one but himself. His deportment is just the opposite of what it was before the last engagement. The cause of his kindness during the first month, was not that he cherished right principles because of their intrinsic value; but to gain the desired object, he put on an air of goodness. In the mean time, base hypocrisy was prime mover of all his acts.

Consider still another case: Bro. A. is a very wealthy man. The Lord has bestowed upon him his rich benefits in profusion. He attends church, and hears a discourse on 1 Tim. 6:17: “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;” which stirs many worldly, covetous members to action. An object of benevolence is brought before the congregation. Many come forward with their means to aid in the good work. Bro. A. knows he should take stock in so worthy an enterprise. “But, there's my new barn to complete; fences to repair; and next year I am to build me a new house which will cost no small sum. Under the circumstances I must be economical; so I guess I can't help this time. Still, if I do not, they'll regard me a stingy man, for they all think I've plenty of money; I must save my name.” And forward he goes and offers his gift, to the admiration of the whole crowd.

Next day, at home, he is called upon by a destitute widow, who asks aid of him. But the same thoughts concerning future wants, which entered his mind at church, earnestly engage his attention for a few moments, and, as there is no crowd present to urge him on to deeds of charity, no opportunity to receive applause of men, he pleads poverty, and the poor woman is coldly turned off with an aching heart.

It is the will of God that we should distribute “to the necessity of saints;” and this Bro. A. did at church the day before, though it was done very grudgingly, merely to make an outward show, for his heart was not in it; but as he was not “rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate,” he proved, at home, that his deportment at church was purely selfish.

Likewise, that man who is “slothful in business;” who idles away many hours and days, until they are even swelled to weeks and months; who does not provide for his own, but allows his family to suffer; who will, under these circumstances, give to the minister, or public man, the last cent in his possession, does not so because God requires it of him, but to be well thought of, to receive praise of men. Self is the chief personage in his mind, and selfishness the main-spring of his actions.

And that church member who is ever ready to attend large gatherings of the people of God; who, when in the presence of the Lord's tried servants, endeavors to fulfill every duty, but when at home, neglects to meet with his brethren to worship God, excusing himself with the plea that it is a long distance to church; that he is tired; that there will be only five or six present, at most; that he can spend the Sabbath to greater profit by staying at home, reading, &c., needs to be aroused, and told that he is seeking with far greater earnestness, to please man, the creature, than God, the Creator!

And thus it is. Almost daily do we behold poor mortals performing acts of obedience, benevolence, and goodness from false motives—either to shun punishments, or gain rewards; but not from pure love for right principles. Now, it being true that “motive constitutes crime,” these hypocritical persons will find, unless they repent ere it is too late, that the great God has taken cognizance of all their thoughts, as well as their words and actions: that a fearful record has been kept, and that for all their ungodliness they must render a strict account.

3. Let us look at the teachings of God's word: Ex. 12:31-33. “And he (Pharaoh) called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people. For they said, We be all dead men.” Here is an instance of obedience performed to avoid the threatened judgment. The Lord had said, “Let my people go;” chap. 5:1; but Pharaoh would not till all the first-born of Egypt were slain. Then in consternation he tells Israel to be gone, not because he loved God, nor his people; but to obviate the infliction of future plagues.

In Num. 14:40, we have recorded the account of the free and earnest offer of murmuring, rebellious Israel to “go up unto the place which the Lord hath promised.” They had heard the fearful statement: “Your carcasses they shall fall in the wilderness.” They saw the lying spies die “by the plague before the Lord,” and they “mourned greatly.” Next morning, still remembering the oath of God, they came early to the top of the mountain, and said, “Lo we be here, and will go up unto the place which the Lord hath promised; for we have sinned.”

Had they loved the Lord with all their heart, and faithfully kept his testimonies, he most certainly would have brought them into the earthly Canaan, and would have driven out the heathen before them. Ex. 3:8; 34:11. But they were guilty of the crimes of false-witness (compare Num. 13:32, with chap. 14:7), of heart murder (chap. 14:10, compared with 1 John 3:15), and rebellion (chap. 14:9, compared with Deut. 31:27). And yet they dared to go forth to battle; yea, to start toward the land of promise! But it was not acceptable to God. He regarded their going forth as transgression. See verse 41. They were selfish. It was not because they loved God, that they offered to go up; but to shun the infliction of the promised penalty!

John 6:26. “Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves and were filled.” Was it wrong to seek Jesus? Certainly not. He had told the people to come unto him, Matt. 11:28, and he had rebuked his disciples for forbidding

the children to come. Mark 10:13, 14. Then he did not forbid their seeking him, provided they came with the proper object in view, but he did condemn their selfishness, their coming to him merely to be fed.

It was a good act to seek Jesus, and to make an effort to hear those gracious words which fell from his divine lips. But our Lord, reading the hearts of those to whom he spake, knew them to be hypocritical, and accused them of selfishness.

Matt. 26:49. “And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master, and kissed him.” Greeting friends with a kiss of charity has been practised from time immemorial. Gen. 33:4; 45:15. It is the salutation of brotherly love in the church of Christ. Rom. 16:16. Was it wrong, then, for Judas to use this salutation? Yes, verily; for he used a sign of love to gain selfish ends, pretending to be a friend of Jesus, while in the very act of betraying his Lord! He bartered away his last hope of life in the world to come, for a paltry price in silver! Truly, “the love of money is the root of all evil.” 1 Tim. 6:10. See also the record of a similar greeting in Gen. 27:6-29.

Matt. 23:5-7. “But all their works they do for to be seen of men; they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments. And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.” These are the words of God's dear Son, spoken to the multitude concerning the Pharisees. And as he reads the selfish thoughts of these deceivers, his spirit is stirred within him. His testimony cuts closer and closer. Hear him: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.” Although they were a class of religionists, and made a very high profession; though they made “broad their phylacteries,” wearing certain words of the law for a token upon their hand, and for frontlets between their eyes; yet condemnation awaited them as their certain portion, unless they faithfully repented.

In connection with this, carefully read Matt. 6:1-18. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; for many shall say unto our Lord in the day of Judgment, “Have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” only to receive the fearful answer, “I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

That we all may be saved from every form of the sin of hypocrisy; that we may be sincere in the sight of our God, and before each other, overcome all our wrong ways, and be saved at Jesus' coming, is my prayer.

G. W. COLCORD. Northville, Ill.