First Has Its Benefits
Motives Weighed

Scripture Reading:  Proverbs 16:1-6

Key Verse:  Proverbs 16:2

All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.

We have been talking about the fact that “first” has its benefits.  Of course, we who follow Christ know that “second” has benefits that trump trying to be first.  It seems to me the dilemma we face is discerning our motives for doing what we do.  It is seldom that a good deed has only one motive behind it.  If we are honest, most of our good works have a mixed bag of motives surrounding them.  That does not make us bad people.  It makes us human.

            It may be impossible for us to judge our own motives with accuracy.  None of us have perfect judgment about anything; the heart is deceitful above all else (see Jeremiah17:9).  Our scripture for today reminds us that God is the perfect judge of motives.  It says He “weighs” our motives.  The word in Hebrew means to be estimated or measured out.  In other words, God looks at why we do our good deeds and measures the different reasons behind them.  As I said, there are usually several motives to measure.

            What does God find when He measures the motives behind your good works?  Which motive is the weightiest?  I believe that is the most important question.  I enjoy “pats on the back,” but is that the weightiest motive in my heart?  I hope not.  I want the weightiest motive to be glorifying the Father in heaven!

Father, I know you examine my heart for proper motives.  Show me when my flesh starts to rule over my spirit.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.