Don't Work For a Reward
Antigonus, leader of Socho, received the tradition from Shimon the Righteous. He used to say; Be not like servants who serve their master for the sake of receiving a reward; instead be like servants who serve their master not for the sake of receiving a reward. And let the awe of Heaven be upon you.
(Pirkei Avot 1:3)
When you do good deeds because you want to receive good things from G-d, what happens when you think you are not receiving what you are "entitled" to? It will make your good deeds diminish.
When you know that all the good you receive comes from G-d you are grateful to Him and you will love Him and want to live according to His will. Which means you want to be a true Image Bearer of G-d. You will want to do good deeds because He is doing good to you.
Even when you do not see Him doing good to you, because it is hidden, you will want to do good deeds just because you love Him, and not because you are being paid.
Brought By Angelique Sijbolts
Angelique Sijbolts is one of the main writers for the Noahide Academy. She has been an observant Noahide for many years. She studies Torah with Rabbi Perets every week. Angelique invests much of her time in editing video-lectures for the Rabbis of the Academy and contributes in administrating the Academy's website in English and Dutch. She lives in the north of the Netherlands. Married and mother of two sons. She works as a teacher in a school with students with special needs. And is a Hebrew Teacher for the levels beginners and intermediate. She likes to walk, to read and play the piano.
Sources
Pirkei Avot
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