SOLID GIVING: Maturing in your Motivations

“Be careful not to display your righteousness merely to be seen by people. Otherwise you have no reward with your Father in heaven." Matthew 6:1

Remember learning how to ride your bike, roller skate, or even tie your shoes....how you just wanted to prove to your mom/dad that you can do it?   Remember how as you continued to grow and develop there were other things that you wanted to do to please or show them your love or independancy in your abilities.  Maybe it was cooking your first breakfast in bed for them, or arranging a lifelong vacation trip to honor them....whatever it was you so wanted their approval.

As adults do we still desire the approval of our parents, our bosses, our spouses, our children, our co-workers, etc?  How draining that can be everyday to get up seeking the approval of all of these people, who of course (we tell ourselves) want different things, and have a variety of expectations (many of them unfair)....that leaves each of us frustrated and exhausted day after day, until we have a mental/nervous breakdown. 

Jesus asked us to be careful, regarding our motivations to do good.....that it wouldn't be to get their approval....their applause, because if that's what it's for the blessing of our mother,father, siblings, boss, pastor, spouse...whoever....then your reward is your reward from them, you forfeit your reward from your heavenly Father.  Maybe you say...."that's not fair....." and I say....well who really were you doing this for?  See as adults we need to really examine why it is we are doing what we are doing, and if it's not for the GLORY of GOD, and the advancement of His kingdom we need to aks ourselves is it worth our devotion?  We all have had to either ask or wrestle with our reasonings for doing what we do.  We have to come to a place where we are living, performing, serving, doing for the AUDIENCE OF ONE!

If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired:  I submit to you this option:  STOP TRYING to please EVERYBODY!  Focus on what Christ told us is really our top priority....LOVE GOD FIRST (let everything you do be done out of LOVE for Him) and as a result of this loving relationship you for Him, and Him lavishing you with His you will become sensitive for His love for ALL OTHERS, which will empower you to secondly LOVE PEOPLE.  So that each day is filled with opportunities to experience and show the LOVE of GOD that leaves your days much more fulfilling and less tiring and or stressful.   Simply put LOVE GOD, LOVE PEOPLE!  Be BLESSED!