So, what should our motive be?

Bible Reading:  Job 1:1-22

In the book of Job, we see Satan accusing Job of his motive in serving God (Job 1:9).  Satan questioned Job's righteousness by saying that Job's love for God was really self-serving.  Satan pointed out that Job worshiped God only because it profited him.  After all, God had put a hedge around him and his household.  Satan also said that if God were to stop protecting Job, then Job would curse God (Job 1:11).  Satan accuses Job saying the only reason Job served God is because God had blessed the work of his hands.  Satan said that Job was interested in God's ways, not for God's sake, but for his own prosperity.  So Satan believed that if God would remove the hedge around Job, he would denounce God! 

As mature believers, the question before us is not only whether we are obeying God but also whether we are obeying God with the right motive.  Are we obeying God just for protection, physical blessing, deliverance, and healing?  Are we following Him just for the gifts?  That was what Satan thought about Job.  

So, what should our motive be in obeying and serving God?

We should obey and worship out of love.  Job loved His presence.  Job longed for the close fellowship he enjoyed with his Creator and Redeemer God (Job 19:26,27).  In his misery, Job believed he had lost the sweet fellowship he had so far enjoyed!  Through our quiet time, Bible reading, and meditation, we should desire His presence and sweet fellowship with our Creator.  Our obedience should flow out of our love of God. 

We should serve or obey God with a grateful heart.  Jesus, while talking about the woman who washed His with her tears, said, "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.  But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." We have been forgiven much.  Out of our gratitude, our worship must flow! 

If we obey God just for gifts and benefits, when we face trials, we will fall away.  We see many denounce their faith because of physical suffering or because of a broken marriage.  Job worshiped even amidst severe trial, saying, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, naked shall I return.  The Lord gave, the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job only blessed the name of God!

My friend, we have to worship, love, and serve God for who He is.  Not for the gifts we have received in this life.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, let me look within and see my true motives and surrender them to God.  Amen.

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