Motive
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Every person who gives has a motivation for doing so. The key to giving is to have the right motivation. What would you do if you won a lot of money? listen to a story of one mans motive.
The story goes that while Robert Smith was taking his afternoon walk as part of his therapy in recovering from a massive heart attack, the phone rang and his wife Delores answered. The call was from the Reader’s Digest Association Sweepstakes in New York. They were calling to inform the Smith family that Robert had just won 1.5 Million dollars. and that in a few days he would get a certified check. Well, as you can imagine, Delores was absolutely ecstatic. Now all those dreams would come true. But then she remembered, her husband was just getting over his heart attack, and the doctor had said no excitement over anything. Delores was afraid that if she told him that they had won some much money he was have another heart attack and die. what should she do? After some thought, she decided to call her Pastor and ask his advice because he had some experience in breaking difficult news to families. Delores called him and told him that Robert had won $1.5 million. that’s great, send her Pastor, what is the problem? Well Dolores said I’m afraid if I tell Bob, he’ll get so excited and he will have another heart attack and drop dead. Can you help me? Well Dolores I think I can I’ll be right over, said Pastor. So in about an hour, Bob is back from his walk and he and Dolores and Pastor are all in the den having a nice chat. The pastor leans toward Bob and says, far, I’ve got a problem I need your advice. Sure pastor, I would be glad to help with anything, said Bob. The pastor takes a deep breath and goes on, it’s a hypothetical situation regarding Christian stewardship. What would a person do Dash take you, for instants Dash do if all of a sudden he found that he won $1.5 million? What would you do with all that money? That’s easy said Bob. “I’d start by giving $750,000 to the church.“ Where upon hearing the news the pastor had a massive heart attack and drop dead.
what a man does matters greatly to God. God expects men to be kind and to do good in the world: to help others both through personal investment and through giving generously and sacrificially.
but there is something else that God expects, something of critical importance: God expects a man to have the right motive. Just why a man does good and shows kindness matters greatly to God. Because of this, Christ warns the true disciple about right and wrong motives.
Alms - Giving to Other
Alms - Giving to Other
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
The word alms means righteous acts; giving in order to meet the needs of the poor. To the Jew, giving arms and righteousness meant the same thing. Giving alms what is the greatest thing you could do; it was the first act of religion. It was considered to be the very embodiment of righteousness, so much so that the two words began to be used Interchangeably. The Jews felt and giving alms merited in assured one of righteousness and salvation. Christ warns there is a great danger in giving alms. Take heed and guard yourself. Do not give for reconciliation or you will lose your award.
There are two important lessons in his first verse:
Man must guard and be alert to the deception of giving and doing good before men. A persons heart can be deceived. The sin creeps up on man; it will keep a person from receiving anything from God.
A person must give arms and do good. It is the duty of the Christian. In this passage alone Christ says four times, “do alms.“
The Wrong Motive
The Wrong Motive
Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
there is the wrong motive for doing good. what Christ strikes at is the motive of the human heart forgiving and doing good.
Giving for reconciliation is the wrong motive forgiving. Reconciliation is said to be sawght by blowing one’s own horn into places: 1 In the synagogue before religious people, and 2 in the streets before the public.
it is not always wrong to give arms when Men see us. This cannot always be helped. It is wrong to give arms so that men may see us. The point is not that a person should hold back from doing anything good, but that he should guard how he gives and what he does based on his motive.
But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;
2. Giving for reconciliation is the characteristic of hypocrisy. Giving out of the wrong motive is hypocritical. The word hypocrite means an actor who puts on a show, who plays a part on a stage; a mask, a fake picture; appearing to do something one is not.
He loveth transgression that loveth strife:
And he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
3. Giving for reconciliation is rewarded on this earth only. A person receives the reconciliation of men only. There are two rewards for a wrong motive: The reconciliation of men is temporary self satisfaction. Note the words, “they have their reward.“ This is an accounting statement. It means just what it says – payment has been made in full. One has received his payment and reward; he has received all he will ever receive. There is to be no reward Dash no we’re bored forever and whatsoever from God.
Three things can be said about a person who chooses man’s reward over God‘s reward: One, he has chosen the poorest reward. Two, he has cheated himself. Three, he can’t expect anything more
what a terrible fate! To have no more reward than this world has the offer. Imagine! No help and no expectation of a better future - nothing beyond this world
For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not:
He is like the beasts that perish.
The Right Motive
The Right Motive
What is the right motive for doing good and forgiving? “Let not die left hand know what the right hand does.“ What a descriptive way to say it.
Give Inconspicuously. Pay no attention to what you were doing or giving. Do it out of an inner compulsion from the spirit. Out of love, and genuine compassion. Keep your mind set on Christ, not what you were doing and the benefits you may receive. Do not harbor such self-centered thoughts. Just love and care and be concerned as you give or do you actions for the Lord.
There is a lot that can be said about a person who gives or acts for the right reasons. The person who has the right notice is governed by the joy of getting and serving. Bringing pleasure to the lives of others. Consider the story told from Dale Galloway:
Little Chad was a shy, quiet young fella. One day he came home and told his mother he’d like to make a valentine for everyone in his class. Her heart sank. She thought, “I wish He wouldn’t do that!” Because she had watched the children when they walked home from school. Her child was always behind them. They laughed and hugged on each other and talked to each other, but not Chad. He was never included. Nevertheless, she decided she would go along with her son. So she purchased the paper and glue and crayons. For three whole weeks, night after night, Chad painstakingly made 35 valentines.
Valentine’s Day dawned, and Chad was beside himself with excitement! He carefully stacked each of them and put them into a bag, and bolted out the door. His mom decided to bake him his favorite cookies and serve them up with a warm glass of milk when he came home from school. She just knew he would be disappointed… Maybe that would ease the pain a little. It hurt her to think that he wouldn’t get many valentines – maybe not at all.
that afternoon she had the cookies and milk on the table. When she heard the children outside, she looked out the window. Sure enough, they came, laughing and having the best time. And as always, there was Chad in the rear. He walked a little faster than usual. She fully expected him to burst into tears as soon as he got in the door. His arms were empty, she noticed, when the door open she Chuck back her own tears. “Mommy has some warm cookies and milk for you, she said“ but he had hardly heard her words. He just march right on by, his face aglow, all he could say was, “not a one… Not a one.”
his mother‘s heart sank again, but then he added, “I didn’t forget a one, not a single one!“
2. Give secretly, quietly, privately. Do not let others know what you were doing when you are giving or doing something for the Lord. Keep it quiet – say nothing. Keep a low profile; stay out of the center of attention. Avoid recognition if possible. fleeing recognition is Critical. The other members of a persons body – his hands, that is, his family – was not even know.
what is so desperately needed is a realistic view of the world. The world is a place of pain and suffering and sin and death Dash a world that needs to be saved and brought somehow to a state of incorruption. When a person faces The real truth of the world, he forgets about himself and sets out the meat the needs of the world through the power of Christ. There is no time to be about self. The point is this do not look for the applause of men, do all things for the Lord.
The Reasons
The Reasons
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
there are two reasons for doing good quietly and secretly.
God sees in Secret. Nothing passes gods attention. He knows the motive and the acts of every man, every single motive and every single act.
Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.
2. God awards openly. Note the words, “God himself shall reward the openly.“ It is God himself reward a person. It is to be an open reward Dash a reward seen by all. A person is to have a personal moment before God when he shall receive his reward. This is the picture painted by Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
When God hands out rewards to his children, it important to be in the right place. We can do a lot of good things in this life but still find ourselves sadly disappointed in the rewards they bring.
Most people can relate to the irritation that comes from picking the wrong line to stand in The grocery store. But Dan had it all figured out. Standing in line outside the pearly gates of heaven, he recalled the events of life on earth. Dan was a respected community leader who served on all important committees. It was true. Dan had done a lot of good things for people, but he always did it with one thing in mind: “what will it do for me?“ As Dan looked around he noticed another line moving more quickly. He thought to himself, “maybe I should change mines. I want to pick up my reward and get on with eternity.“
Frustrated, Dan summoned an angel nearby and said, “hey, buddy! I’ve been waiting in line forever. Is there anyway to get to the front of the line? I want to get my reward.“ The angel checked his clipboard for Dan’s name, frowned, and said, “I’m sorry sir. This line is for folks who are getting rewards. According to my records you received your awards on earth.“ Dan retracted with unbelief, “what do you mean, received your rewards on earth?“ Look, it says it right here, the angel replied , “all good deeds Paid in Full with the praise of men.“ But that is the line you need to be in sir. It is a line for people who did everything for the wrong reason.
when you get to heaven, will there be any rewards for you? Get in the right line while you can.
There are a few things in life that bring greater joy to the believer than being a channel of blessing. The right motive makes that gift or act of service much sweeter. On the other hand, the wrong motive poisons the gift in the giver. Each one of us must strive to have the right motives as we work for the Lord.