Serving With The Right Intentions

I heard someone say once that we can be very earnest about something – and yet be very earnestly wrong. It was a very profound statement.

So often I see this demonstrated in our society. I see people give all they have to causes that they are very passionate about. I see people pursue beliefs in life that may not be harmless, but may not be fruitful in the long-run either. It reminds me of the verse in Proverbs 16:2 that says, “All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.”

We can pursue causes or give generously to them – but they can all be for nothing. If I’m giving to charities and serving others simply to “look good” to others – my works are meaningless in the long-run for the Lord knows and sees where my heart stands. He knows that I simply did things for “show.”   And if I give all my time and money to something I really DO believe in but that cause goes against the Word of God in some way or form – again – my invested time and money are worthless.

My heart and soul and what reside there are very important to the Lord. The intent, love, purity and motivation that live inside of each one of us weigh heavily with God.

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in doing what everyone else is doing, doing things for the fun of it, or doing things because it looks good….we forget that the only true way to do things is with love.

Romans 16:18 “For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naïve people.”

It is important for us to evaluate our own intent and actions every once in awhile to make sure that we have the right motivation and not that we are doing things simply to fulfill our own fleshly emotions and desires. It’s also important for us to be wary of who is in our lives and what kind of endeavors they bring into our homes and into our lives. Many people seem to have good causes but in actuality, they are stemmed from selfish ambition.

God does want us to serve. But He wants us to serve humbly. He does want us to pursue our passions. But with prayer. And He does want us to give. But with the right heart. If we keep these things in mind as our compass….we’ll never stray from serving Him with the pure goodness that He can use and flourish for so many.




*First published on DevotionalChristian.com