Motives

Why do you serve the Lord?  What is your real motive behind it?  Is it for popularity, is it just a change from your old mundane lifestyle, or is it out of jealousy or envy of someone else?  People preach and serve Christ for various reasons, what is your motive?

Some see it as a way to make money, some as a source of authority or a way to deceive others, sprinkling just enough truth around to lure in the un-expecting and naïve.  Is it for power and control, is that your motive?  Some people do it trying to appease God thinking that they will get into His good graces.

Some people do it out of sincerity wanting the Lord to receive all the glory and praise from their life.   Some have had such an overwhelming experience with the Lord that they want everyone else to have that same experience.  Some are so thankful for being set free and forgiven and for the peace and joy they have received from the Lord that can’t hold it back; it is like a fire that burns inside them and they feel that they have to share the good news so their motive is love and mercy.  What is your motive?  This is something to think very carefully about.

Paul said this about this subject in Philippians 1:15-17, “It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.”  Do you fall into the latter category or the former, according to what Paul said?  

The latter did what they did from the right motive and that was love, they were a blessing to Paul, but those that preached or witnessed out of selfish ambition were trying to stir up problems for Paul because their motives were terribly misguided.  Paul was so connected and committed to the Lord that he rejoiced in whatever situation he found himself in and he didn’t care what the motive was at the time, he rejoiced because Christ was preached in that situation.  

Paul said this in verse 18, “But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.  Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.”  I don’t think Paul was saying it doesn’t matter what a person’s motives are while preaching or serving the Lord in any capacity.  He knew that whatever we did, or do, for Christ, our motives have to be right.  

He said this in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 talking about love, our motivation and attitude, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”  I know this is talking about love, but love is what should motivate us to do whatever we do.

So when it is all said and done, what motivates us is very important.  Only you can answer the question of what motivates you to serve the Lord.  If your motivation is not what it should be, then correct it now before it is too late.  It would be a shame to see all your works burned up because they were all done for all the wrong reasons.  I hope this tidbit was a help to you, may the Lord bless you and yours, have a great day!!