Doing all for God’s Glory: Why is doing everything gratefully devoted to the Lord a more practical and just way than renouncing the fruits of all actions? (Col 3 and Gita 12)

Paul commands people to do everything as if they are doing it for the Lord (Col 3:23-24). N.T. Wright calls it "building for God's Kingdom." If we do everything for the Lord and in the Lord’s name, desiring our rewards from the Lord alone, we will not do evil or injustice. For it is not possible to do wickedness in the name of a Holy God. Besides, we will be grateful to God for the rewards. Similarly, Krishna tells Arjuna to fix his mind on him, renounce his actions to him, regarding him as his Supreme goal with exclusive devotion (Gita 12:6). If he cannot fix his mind on the Lord, he must practice it constantly (12:9). Otherwise, he must perform actions for Krishna's sake (12:10). If he cannot do even this, then he must renounce the fruits of all his actions taking refuge in him (12:11). Renouncing the fruits of actions seems interesting option.

 

However, when people interpret renouncing the fruits of action as renouncing all desire for results before acting, challenges arise. First, we may not give our best effort because ambition for results is absent. Second, celebrating success may seem improper, as it might appear to be attachment. Third, we may not address failures, intending to remain detached. By contrast, dedicating actions to the Lord and seeking God’s glory avoids both doing evil and attachment to results because the reward belongs to him. Therefore, performing actions for the Lord and renouncing fruits to him is a pragmatic option in line with the Bible. Hence, doing everything gratefully devoted to the Lord is a more practical, just, and fulfilling approach to life than renouncing the fruits of all actions. It aligns action with gratitude rather than detachment alone.

 

Biblically, God wants us to be faithful stewards of his creation. He has created us in his image of love to love and lovingly serve others. If we do all our actions with the mindset of serving others, we won't be attached to the results. Instead, we would want to share the fruits of our good actions with those who are in need. It won't make us lazy, nor will it create guilt in our conscience for trying to excel in whatever we do. Instead, we will know that both the ability, the desire to work, and the success are God's gifts. Thus, we will celebrate every success with an even mind without being conceited or selfish. We will also know how to console and counsel empathetically those who fail to achieve good results despite their hard work.

 

Further, we will respect and bless others, not humiliate or demean them, regardless of the results, because we see them as brothers and sisters in God's image. Finally, we will give our best in every attempt to succeed because we are doing it for God's glory, not ours. We are like that Ass who carried Jesus Christ. When God is exalted, we also get our share of praise, and there's nothing to be proud about. Suppose we fail, God will still be with us, comfort us, and challenge us from within to overcome the obstacles to our success, and succeed in our future endeavors. No failure can disappoint us beyond what we can bear, and no failure can stop us from trying again and preparing better. Failures become our stepping stones, and unfairness becomes an opportunity to show justice, mercy, and grace.

 

That's why I think the Christian way of doing things for the Lord and by his strength, giving him glory always, is a better alternative than renouncing the fruits and the desire for the fruits of all actions. The Christian way corresponds to the first alternative Krishna gives. “Fix your mind on me, renounce your actions (not just their fruits) in me, regarding me as the Supreme goal and meditating on me with exclusive devotion” (Gita 12:6). If we stick to doing everything for God’s glory, we will certainly be freed from worrying about the fruits of actions because the result belongs to God and glorifies God only. Therefore, I suggest that performing actions by fixing our minds on God, desiring God's glory, and renouncing the fruits to him is more desirable than renouncing desires and fruits of all actions and becoming a desireless monk.

 

In sum, Paul commands people to do everything as if they are doing it for the Lord (Col 3:23-24). If we act for the Lord, seeking our rewards from him alone, we will do no evil and also be grateful for the rewards. Similarly, Krishna instructs Arjuna to fix his mind on him, or, if unable, to perform actions for his sake, or, as a last resort, to renounce the fruits of actions (Gita 12:6, 12:9-12:11). The Christian way—doing things for the Lord’s glory by his strength—is a better alternative than renouncing all desires and results. This aligns with Krishna’s first alternative: fix your mind on the Lord and renounce your actions in him. Doing all for God’s glory frees us from worrying about outcomes, as results belong to God. Thus, performing actions with our minds on God and desiring his glory is preferable to becoming a desireless monk.