I'm a presbyterian and a calvinist. That means I'm radical enough to actually believe EVERYTHING the Bible teaches.
As you believe everything then the following words from Paul might be of interest?
And now stays faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
- 1 Corinthians 13:13
A good deed is done for the glory of God. As I mentioned earlier I don't think its wrong to selfishly do a good deed for both the glory of God and one's own happiness.
You might not, but Paul has an opinion about that as well:
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6,7
As stated earlier in the thread I don't believe and altruism and I don't believe God expects men to behave altruistically. Moreover, I don't believe good works get you into heaven. I believe the sacrifice of Christ on the cross for the forgiveness of my sins is the only reason anyone is saved from God's wrath.
I think your god does expect you to behave altruistically (see earlier comment). Paul seems to be saying without good intention, deeds are valueless.
And thou I bestow all my good to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
- 1 Corinthians 13:3
And, as we know, charity comes before faith...
So, your expectations of what your god requires of you are at some odds to the writings in the Good Book you profess to believe in vigorously.
How do you explain this inconsistency other than the peculiarities of whatever strain of Calvinism you subscribe to?
I'll concede that at times from my perspective what God does in the world can seem random.
In which case He is irrelevant. The "seeming" part is in your head and others that share your views.
That doesn't prove he doesn't exist. Moreover, in the grand scheme of things there is much more order in the world than there is apparent randomness.
Your first sentence is irrelevant and your second so general as to be pointless. What does "order in the world" actually mean, for example?
Remember: your god likes a cheerful giver.
Stay cheerful, Beefeater.