Played: 34 | Download | Duration: 00:02:53

Examining Your Motives - Part 2

Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God." Acts 5:4

One successful pastor writes, 'Numerous Sundays I have preached a message that deeply moved the members of my congregation. But ironically I 'prepared' by arguing with my wife on the way to church, or making life miserable for my children. Years of practice came to my rescue and I easily changed into 'The Pastor,' becoming instantly compassionate, holy and spiritual. I was faking... [Because] feeling needed, respected and wanted, can become as great a motivation as love for Christ.' Wow! Ananias and Sapphira harbored wrong motives and it cost them dearly. They saw other early-church Christians selling their land to help the poor and thought it was a great idea - in theory! However, when they did the same they withheld part of the money and then lied about it. They wanted increased visibility and spiritual standing without paying the full price for it. But Peter said, 'You did not lie to men, you lied to God.'

Do you know what? There is more of Ananias and Sapphira in each of us than we care to admit. We want to 'look the part.' Be careful! Being the center of attention can quickly become addictive! It can also disqualify you in God's eyes! Check out these two Scriptures: a) '...the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you...' (1 Chronicles 28:9) b) 'I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve' (Jeremiah 17:10).

Prayer
Heavenly Father – I know you know me and know my inner most thoughts. Forgive me when my outside self is different than my inside self. Help me be consistent with your nature, your attributes. In Jesus’ Name, Amen