Motives - Ten Shekels and a Shirt

This is a meatier word that has to do with our motives. In Judges 17 there is a story of a Levite (priest) which Micah paid for in order to attempt to win the favor of God. The Levite sold out, but God is not one who can be bought. Knowing and having God in our lives is much more a matter of the heart, and not works, money or religious observances. Remember, God told King Saul, "Obedience is better than sacrifice." And, Ps 51:17 says, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." God wants our trust and obedience to Him because we love Him and have faith in Him. God wants us to love Him and have faith in Him because He is worthy of it, not necessarily because we will benefit from it. God doesn't want to be used anymore than we do.

The good news is this: When we love Him and come to Him for the right reasons, or should I say, with the best and purest motives, God blessings flow to us. Being blessed by God is part of being near Him and being a part of Him. God wants to bless us and care for us. He calls Himself our Heavenly Father, and He loves us even more than an earthly father possibly can.

Maybe you came to Jesus because you wanted to be saved from sin and condemnation - I did! But, grow in Him and get to know Him. You will see that there is more, way more. There are purer and more honorable motives that last longer, motivate us stronger, and cause us to be more blessed, than bargaining with God will ever do.

Watch this video clip and chew on this for a while. Let God open your heart and understanding to the truth of what this preacher is saying. Love and serve God because He is God. You won't be sorry you did.