Motives

Motives

MY QUESTION for GOD

Does God care about my motives as long as I do the right thing?

A MOMENT with GOD

I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives.

1 Chronicles 29:17

The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives.

Proverbs 21:27

When you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Matthew 6:3-4

Think of some reasons why someone might donate a large sum of money to a charity. One person might do it in order to earn a tax break; another might do it to win political favor; still another might do it out of deep compassion for the poor. The same act can be set in motion by very different motives. God is as interested in your motives as he is in your behavior, because selfish and sinful motives eventually produce selfish and sinful behavior. Leaders might be tempted to find an excuse for doing almost anything for the cause, but God looks behind the excuses to the motives of the heart. Check your motives before you act. Ask yourself, would God be pleased with my real reasons for doing this? Would I still be willing to do this if I knew everyone would find out? Your motives definitely make a difference in your ability to lead well and gain the respect of those you lead.

DIVINE PROMISE

THE LORD’S LIGHT PENETRATES THE HUMAN SPIRIT, EXPOSING EVERY HIDDEN MOTIVE.

Proverbs 20:27