I would go with number 3.
The reason not number 2 is it may not bear fruit, (serving a person who does not grow from it,, It may be just a planted seed)
The reason not number 1 is pride, Just because we think something is good. does not mean we are doing it as a good deed, We can do a good deed in the wrong motive
Number 3. Are we seeking the things of the spirit. or seeking things of the flesh?
That is what determines a good work in my mind.. Am I serving self or serving others.
WHA??
Ok. I agree with you that number 2 is wrong. We cannot know the outcome of our actions. We can only do our best and hope for the best. We can't look into the future. We have to trust that if our action is good, then something good will come of it. This does not necessarily hold true. Sometimes we think we're doing good and we end up doing bad. It's life. This isn't a philosophy class so we're good.
I'd love it if you could get it out of your head that we can't say we're doing a good deed because it's pride.
Let's break this down a minute so there's no misunderstanding.
Let's take Mathew 6:1
Jesus is saying not to practice our righteousness before men so that we can be noticed by them.
But in Mathew 5:16 Jesus is telling us to let our light so shine before men so that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.
I think this is what you're alluding to when you say that in your mind a good work is something you do for someone else.
Of corse this is what a good work is. If I want the last piece of chocolate and my husband wants the last piece of chocolate, he should get it.
But why do you speak of saying this as if it's pride?
Jesus said to let our light shine before men. For instance, if I go to Church every Sunday, what would be wrong if I said this to my neighbor? Is it pride? Or is it me witnessing to him?
If I tell someone I'm a believer (which is how it's said here) and THEN I tell them I volunteer for something or other... is this good or is it pride?
Do you think I'm right?