It doesn't have to be for God but it should always bring God glory..
This thought came to me while I was debating on wanting to do something for my girlfriend. I thought it would be nice to show my appreciation for her continuous encouragement to me. But right as I thought about it the Lord brought to mind that it's ok to want to do other things for different reasons outside of him. Bear with me as I try to explain. I wanted to do something nice for her because I appreciate her and wanted her to know it. Now on the outside of things my thought process is not malicious or manipulative. But on the inside of this act I must ask myself one more question. Does this act bring God glory? See you can do nice things for people all day but if the root of your act doesn't bring God glory then really you did it for yourself. 1 Corinthians 10:31 teaches us that whether we eat or drink, or whatever what we do, do all to the glory of God.
You can do a million nice things that are humane and neighborly, but if honoring God isn't at the center of your actions then it's really all in vain. In order to do this in all that you do, you must have God's word written on your heart (Ps 119:11). Only here can we be certain of our intents in motives. Me wanting to do something for my girlfriend at the heart of it, falls in line with the bibles teaching in (phil 2:3) doing nothing in vain conceit but counting others in higher regard than ourselves. Now I'm not saying every single thing you do must have a chapter and verse to go with it but I am saying that God's spirit should be the ever guiding instructor in all our actions and thoughts.
The world thinks by being good and doing good that it should be enough to solidify a place in heavenly eternity. First off, you can't earn a place in heaven it's free to all who believe in Jesus Christ (eph 2:8-10). Second, if you can't earn your way to heaven then that means there needs to be a different motive as to why you do what you do. May I suggest as 1 Corinthians 10:31 suggests? Do it all to God's glory. There's nothing wrong with doing this for others but is it rooted in following God's commandments or just to look holy in the eyes of man? Is it rooted in God's word or man's ideologies?
In the bible there is a story about king David being told to go build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah. So when king David came upon Araunah the man inquired of the kings intentions. David explained he was there to buy the threshing floor so that he could build an altar to the Lord. Araunah told David to take whatever he wished to complete his task. David refused and told Araunah that he will not sacrifice to the Lord that which cost him nothing. Now before David even got to the holy act of building an altar to the Lord; he already gave God glory in his actions that led up to the altar building.
1. Even though he knew the pressing issue that faced his people, David followed the word of the Lord through the prophet Gad. David showed humility and obedience, both brought glory to God.
2. When David had the opportunity to make the altar for free he chose not to cheat God of his due glory and reverence.
These initial acts showed David's heart and true motive behind his sacrifice at the altar. David in this situation personified 1 Corinthians 10:31. Every step he took gave glory to God. So let us let this be a reminder that there is nothing wrong with doing things for other people but let's always make sure that at the heart of the act it brings glory to our God. When we tithe its not the act itself that is for God; the money itself is for the house of God. But the heart behind the act is what brings glory to God. Hope this helped in changing our thought process and our heart behind our actions. Remember everything doesn't have to be for God but everything should be to the glory of God. - be blessed and a blessing -
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