What is Right....

The other day I was at the store with my 3 year old and I bought three items and headed for the car. At the check out counter I realized that I must have gotten a sweet deal because I ended up paying only about four dollars! Wow, how did I manage that?
At the car I looked at my receipt and realized that I was only charged for two of my three items. Of course I was irritated because that meant I had to do one of two things. Leave, knowing that I got a "sweet" deal, but knowing that I didn't come by it honestly. Or I could go back inside and pay for the item. Which meant I had to get my daughter out of the car, again, and find a new parking spot.

I pulled out and saw that there was a spot right in front of the store...shoot. That meant I really had to go back. It made it easier to go, but I was still irritated.
I jumped out of the car, leaving my daughter in the car because I could see from the store window and I knew it would be a short trip inside. I know, I know, I shouldn't have left her in there, so please don't scold me:)
I went back, told the lady and payed for the item. She was astonished that I came back to pay. And she thanked me and said that most people would not have been so honest. It was nice that she noticed, but it's not like she announced it over the intercom or anything. Maybe that is the "thanks" I should've gotten. No such luck:)

I left feeling grateful that I "did the right thing." But just doing the right thing was not what I felt good about. I started to think about why I felt the way I did. I don't care about the store or if they lose money or the fact that the lady made a mistake. No that isn't why I did it. It's not the end of the world if they lose a couple bucks, right? Especially to me, I need the "sweet" deal.
Confetti did not come from the sky as I left the store. The manager didn't stop me to say, "Thank you for being so honest. You are amazing. In fact, I'll give you your money back and you can have the items for free." Nope, didn't happen.
I wasn't really looking for this type of "thanks" but I guess it would've been nice. You see I have gone back to several stores for the same reason. They forgot to charge me for something and me, having to be so darn honest has to go back and pay so I don't feel guilty. Sometimes the employees said nothing to me. No "thanks." No, "I'm sorry for making you haul your crew back inside because I made a mistake." Nothing.

I realized that just "doing the right thing" didn't seem like "enough."
Doing the right thing is great, don't get me wrong. But I realized that behind the "doing the right thing" there was something a little deeper.
I try to do the right thing because I know it honors God. I am being obedient to Him when I obey the law and when I am honest or tell the truth. I honor Him when I do things for others. Like I said, I didn't really care about the store or the fact that they might lose a little money..so shoot me. What I was grateful for was that God was honored with what I did.
I didn't receive any accolades for the small thing I did. No one gave me an extra brownie point. What I did get was the, "not feeling guilty" feeling, which is good. But I knew that God was pleased with me because I was obedient, because in a very small way I honored Him.

I don't expect to receive a crown in heaven for this sort of thing...but then again, who knows:)
What I did receive was joy, knowing that I had honored the Lord. It was a small thing for me to do, but it was big to God.

"Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
Matthew 25:40

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will."
Romans 12:2

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people..."
Galatians 6:9-10

"Live as children of the light, (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness [doing what is right] and truth.) And find out what pleases the Lord."

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men...It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Colossians 3:23-24