“People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.” Proverbs 16:2 NLT

You have heard it said that “actions speak louder than words“, and there certainly is an element of truth in that statement. There does come a time when we need to do something, not just talk about it. But there can be another side to our actions; doing things to be seen. The difference is not in the activity itself; but in the motive behind it. And while we may be able to see our actions as pure, the Lord examines our motives. 

I don’t know that any of us have 100% pure motives, but it is probably a healthy exercise to “check our hearts” periodically. The questions we can ask ourselves are:

– Do we give only for what we might get
– Do we serve only to be recognized
– Do we give our love only to receive love back?

Put more simply, Do we view our actions as transactional? This for that.  It might be OK in the workplace to work to receive a wage, but in the Kingdom, motive is important. 

The way of the Lord is to give, serve, love with no expectation of anything in return. 

God’s economy is different than ours. We may think it is really about doing the right thing, when God would say it is really about having the right heart.  Jesus said that: “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.” Matthew 20:16 NLT

A good reset for us is to put others first.  Do something for someone else who is unable to give you anything in return. 

This week check your motives, then let your actions speak. 

In His Hands, 

John