WHY DID YOU DO THAT?

1 Thessalonians 2:1-61 You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. 2 We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you His gospel in spite of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed--God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.

During the Olympics last year, athletes competed for lots of different reasons. Some were honoring a loved one who had died. Some wanted to improve on their result from 4 years earlier. Others just wanted to experience the pageantry of the Games. One track star came to prove his tattoo to be true: "Greatest of All Time." (He came in third.)

We all have motives for what we do, whether they're tattooed on our arm or tucked away inside our heart. It's good to take them out and look at them every once in a while to figure out why we do what we do.

When Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, he wanted them to know that his motives were on the up-and-up. He cared for them and shared the gospel with them, knowing that God was the one he and his companions were serving--not themselves. "We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts" (1 Thessalonians 2:4). He didn't want fame or rewards for his service. He knew his reward would come later, when he finished his work on earth and entered heaven for eternity. Yes, he received recognition, honor, and respect along the way. But those things weren't the driving force behind his work.

Paul was a living example of what Jesus taught in Matthew 6. He said, "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. . . . Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (vv.1,4).

So it's up to you: glory now, or glory later. You can choose to receive your reward today--fame, applause, recognition. Or you can choose to serve God with the right heart, one that is trying to please Him alone. The reward you'll receive from your Father will be better than any reward you could get from anyone else. --Tracy Carbaugh

DESTINATION POINTS

* Have I ever stopped to examine my motives for doing what I do? Why or why not?
* What are my motives for my work, activities, service?
* Why does God care about my motives?

LINKS:
What Does It Take To Follow Christ?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0710

The Official Web site of the Olympic Movement
olympic.org/uk/index_uk.asp

bottom line: Suffering can strengthen your faith or weaken it.

soul journey