What motivates you? Is it setting goals? Is it seeking notoriety? Are you trying to do better for your family? Do you strive to increases your pay? Why? What is your motive? Is it out of selfishness or to fulfill God’s plan for your life?
Our culture is driven by getting more. More for ourselves. The marketing schemes tell us we deserve more. They shame us into believing we are less than others if we don’t acquire more. They play on our selfishness, our desire to look out for number one.
There lies the rub. The number one in our lives is us. We have taken God out of the top spot in our lives and put Him somewhere near the bottom. If He were number one in our lives, our decisions would be much different than we observe. If God were number one, our culture would be a radical example for others to follow. We would see far fewer hungry, homeless, and unemployed people. We would not experience strife, discord, and outright hatred.
When we make God number one in our lives, our motives change. Notice today’s passage. Doesn’t it describe our current culture? We argue, quarrel, and fight because we don’t get what we want. We don’t get what we want because we ask God with the wrong motives. Our motives are to satisfy ourselves and no one else.
We don’t like to be told we are selfish, yet that is exactly what we are. Even when we do something for someone else, we often do it to gain something for ourselves. It may not be a material gain. It may be a pat on the back. Feeling good about ourselves because we did something for someone else. We play the martyr and wonder why no one else sees our sacrifice. Notice God is nowhere in the reasons behind our actions.
We fail to realize God has promises us an abundant life if we will simply follow His plan for our lives. We refuse to submit to Him in fear that He won’t deliver. Our trust in Him is lacking. Our faith is miniscule. Therefore, our motives are wrong.
Don’t misunderstand. There are some true saints out there. Unfortunately, the vast majority of our culture is described above. If you are one of those who truly seek to fulfill God’s plan for your life, know that God will bless you richly. We need more saints in this world.
I pray we all examine our motives. I pray we turn to God to change our motives. I pray each one of us will seek God’s plan for our lives. Trust God to deliver on His promises. Put your faith in Him. Live out God’s plan for you. Rid yourself of selfishness. Make God number one in your life.
James 4:2-3 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
Marty Pressey 