Do I Work for God or for Self?

"...because when a man does something solely for the glory of God, he is not disquieted even when the undertaking fails. He has already attained his purpose which was to please God. God is please because the man worked with a pure intention. Here are some signs or marks showing that one engaged in a spiritual undertaking is working solely for God:

1) He is not disturbed if the work fails. Since God does not will its success, neither does he.
2) He is quite happy when others succeed as when he does so himself.
3) He does not desire one assignment rather than another, but cheerfully accepts what his superiors decide upon.
4) When he has finished his task he does not look for thanks or approval, and so if ever his work is criticized and belittled, he is not afflicted. God is pleased and that is all he asks. If on the other hand the world applauds, he is not puffed up.

If we have the happy lot to be found worthy to do something that gives pleasure to God, what greater reward could we desire? It has been said that the pure intention of acting only for the purpose of pleasing God is the heavenly alchemy that transforms iron into gold; that is, the most trivial actions, such as eating, working, playing, sleeping, when done for God, are changed into the gold of holy love."

St Alphonsus Liguori, in "Love God and Do What You Please" adapted by M.J.Huber, Liguori Publications, Liguori MO, 1970, pp46-47.

posted by Holly at 10:51 AM