I Do It For You

I Do It For You

August 30, 2024

            When we do something for God, who are we really doing it for? The question may sound a little absurd, but there is much to be said and many things to consider, when we stop and think about it. What is our motivation? What is our mindset? What can we offer to God? These are just some of the things I want to discuss today.

            When you make the effort to get out of bed and get yourself and your family to church on Sunday mornings, (and believe me I understand at times, that can take some real effort), who are you doing it for? When you lay your head down at night or sit down to eat a meal and you stop to pray, who are you doing it for, and why are you doing it? When you throw money into the collection plate, donate to a charity, or even offer a homeless person some money for food, who are you doing that for? Who are you doing it for when you sit down and read your Bible?

            In order to answer these questions, we must examine our motives. We have to check our thinking and discover the why behind our actions. All these things we say we do for God are good things the Lord has commanded us to do. But if your heart isn’t in the right place, they are not only ineffective but could be detrimental to us. Wow, how could doing a good thing be bad for me, you may ask? That’s a good question. It’s like when we make a child say I’m sorry and they don’t mean it. Not only are we forcing them to lie, but we are teaching them that appearance means more than repentance. We are putting greater value on perception than what takes place, in the heart. Therefore, not only was their apology ineffective, because the other person involved clearly knew they were not being genuine, we also set a bad precedent for their value system.

            Politicians are notorious for saying what they believe you want to hear and acting in a manner that pleases their constituents. And while this seems to work with a lot of people, there is no pulling the wool over the eyes of God. God knows our hearts better than we do. He knows when you toss your money into the collection plate if you are doing it to be seen by others, or if you are giving out of the abundance in your heart and in obedience to his teachings. Mathew 6:3-4 says,”But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth. That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”  It’s ok to have the foreknowledge that whatever good thing we do, God will reward us for doing it, but it is selfish and goes against everything God teaches to do a good work, expecting a reward. I mentioned praying earlier and made a bold statement about how even that could be bad. Well, this goes in line with everything we are discussing. Let’s read Mathew 6:5-6. Praying is a great thing and essential to having a relationship with God. 1^st Thessalonians 5:17, tells us to pray without ceasing. Philippians 4:6-7, tells us not to worry about anything, to pray about everything, and be thankful for all things, and we will have the peace of God that is beyond all understanding! Praying with a pure heart will give you everything, praying to be seen, or out of a sense of duty, or even out of habit, is hollow and meaningless, much the same as an insincere apology.

            When we sit down to read our bibles, why are you doing it? Is it because the preacher told you to, or you don’t want to appear ignorant when religious topics come up in conversation, or maybe you just enjoy reading? All those reasons are good, but there are two main reasons we should study our bible. The Bible reveals God through his word, it shows us who he is and allows us a better understanding of him and thereby have a closer relationship with him. If you love someone, don’t you want to know all there is to know about them? If you truly want to serve God, don’t you need to know and understand his commandments? The other big reason to study is found in 2 Timothy 2:15 where it says, ”Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” How do you expect to follow God’s great commission to all Christians, and spread the Gospel of God throughout the world, if you don’t know what it says? Does God expect us to know every word of the Bible, of course not, but the more you know, the stronger your armor becomes, and the more prepared you are to resist our enemy the Devil. The more you know, the more prepared you will be when your child asks a question or a someone needs your counsel.

            Friend, God didn’t give me this message, nor did I write it, to scare you or upset you. The intention is not to make you doubt yourself or your faith. This is meant as a wake-up call to remind everyone to remain vigilant and keep watch on ourselves constantly because one of Satan’s favorite tricks is to pull you away from your God’s love. The easiest way to do that and stay undetected is to make you believe you are still serving God with all your heart, while in fact, you’re only going through the motions. Many a person in Hell, will have been faithful seat warmers in their churches. Many a person in Hell, will have said their prayers faithfully. Many a person in Hell, will have thought they had a right relationship with God, when they actually never gave their life over to the Lord, repented their sins, and asked Jesus to come into their hearts and professed him as their personal savior. Read Mathew 7:20-23. Many saved Christians are not getting the blessing God wants to bestow upon them because their faith has grown cold and they are not even aware of it. They believe themselves to be Ok because they are still going through the motions. All this is what I meant when I said sometimes good things can be bad.

            When we do something for God take pause, examine your heart, and then question your motivation. We should all know that anything we do for God, we are doing for ourselves, our loved ones, and the rest of the world. Anything we do to spread his word or further his glory only helps him, help us. He doesn’t need our help, but it pleases him when we give.