Your Motives Matter!

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
-1 Corinthians 13:1-3, NLT



Whenever I am doing something, I think in terms of why I am doing it. I am always cautious about my 'why' for doing what I do. Is it to please others? Is it to please myself? Is it to help others? Is it to glorify God? Why am I doing what I am doing? Is it in obedience to what God has instructed?

By observing the life of Jesus and his interactions with the Pharisees, you'd notice that Jesus had a deep sense of indignation for hypocrisy- doing things in order to get the praise of men rather than God (see Matthew 23).

Learn to think deeply about your motives for doing whatsoever you do. In the theme verse, you'd notice that Paul the Apostle teaches that once that which you do is void of love, it is useless and will not benefit you in any way.

Even though there are material and eternal benefits that giving brings us, we need to realize that our motive for giving should be love.

You could liken your motive to a driving force or that which you look forward to as a return.

It is good to assess your motives from time to time because your motives are actually the underlying factor for which you do what you do.

Let me share with you three basic motives that should drive your actions:

• Love 

1 Corinthians 16:14 says, "And do everything with love."

Love for God and love for other people should be your overarching purpose for doing all things.

• The Glory of God

1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Bringing glory to God is also the ultimate purpose for all that we do. Do it that God may receive praise, honour and glory. It is should be pleasing in His sight. See how the sacrifice of Jesus was a sweet-smelling sacrifice in His nostrils (Ephesians 5:1-2). No wonder Jesus announced that your good works should cause men to give glory to God (Matthew 5:16)! Jesus was always particular about doing things publicly for fame and the approval of men-- so He taught us to give, fast and pray in secret, so that God, who sees in secret, would reward us publicly (Matthew 6:1-7).

• As unto the Lord

Colossians 3:17 says, "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."

No matter who sent you to do something or what they asked you to do, if it is honourable and pleasing in God's sight, do it as though you are doing it for the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Never do things shabbily because you think it's for someone who is not 'your class'. Conversely, never do things very well because you think it's for someone who is mighty, rich and will favour you. That amounts to hypocrisy and makes you a men-pleaser! Do it well, irrespective of the one for whom you are doing it, knowing that you are accountable ultimately to One Person- the Lord Jesus Christ!

Your motives matter! Assess them! Do everything in love, for the glory of God and as unto the Lord!