Pure Or Impure Motives?

Wednesday's Devotion (5-28-03)

"And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days." 1 Kings 3:7-13 (KJV)

Why did Solomon, asking for wisdom please God, so much? Maybe it's because Solomon, was asking for something to benefit others and not himself. Maybe because Solomon, didn't want to punish the wrong people. He wanted to do right. Since he wasn't out for himself the Lord, blessed him with much more. The Lord, gave Solomon, riches and honor even though Solomon, didn't ask for those things. Solomon, is an example of how we'll be blessed if we do right. If we worry about the welfare of others instead of ourselves, we will benefit. If we pray for others God, will take care of us too. I'm not saying, don't pray for yourselves, I'm just saying, don't forget to pray for others. I don't believe we have to ask for riches. I believe if you do right and don't expect anything back God, will bless you with riches. If you're always trying to do good and help others, God, will help you. Solomon, didn't even expect God, would give him riches and honor. Why would he expect that? He didn't ask for it. He wasn't worried about those things, he wanted to do right to God's people. My point is if you're doing something for the wrong motive, you won't be blessed for it. Let's say you donate money because you want riches in return. That won't work. You have to donate because you want to please God and help others. You shouldn't be worrying about yourself. I see these shows on television, that say, things like, "If you donate to us God, will bless you!" I don't think that's right. I think that kind of puts an impure motive in people's head. When Solomon, asked for wisdom he had a pure motive. He wanted to help others and please God. He wasn't thinking of himself. If you donate and receive nothing in return ask yourself, "Am I doing it with a pure motive?" Don't donate to get rich or to be blessed, but do it to help others. Do it to please God. I believe there are a lot of people out there donating with impure motives. They probably say, "Well I donate and God, doesn't bless me!" Just like if you saw a man dying on the street and said, "I better help, God, will bless me!" Instead of thinking, "I better help this man might die and the Lord, wouldn't be pleased with me." You won't get blessed! You might say, "It doesn't matter what my motive was to do it, as long as I did it!" Well, you're wrong. God, looks at our hearts, not just our actions.

God bless!

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