What Greater Motivation?
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
What are we motivated by? What motivates us to do what we do? Looking in the online etymology dictionary, we note that the term “motivate” means, “to stimulate toward action.” An online dictionary defines the term as, “to provide with a motive or motives; incite; impel.”
A Simple Observation
Through simple observation, there’s no question that money is the stimulating or motivating factor for most people of the world (Matthew 26:14-16; cf. James 5:1-4). Some folks are motivated by fame and acclaim — a desire to be popular in the eyes of men (John 12:42-43; cf. John 5:44). Others are motivated by a desire for pleasure, in whatever form it may come (James 5:5; cf. Job 21:7,13; Ecclesiastes 2:1-11).
If we drive on the freeways of our nation for very long, we’ll see that most folks have a selfish motivating desire to be “first” in getting to their destination, no matter if it endangers them or others along the way. This mindset holds true in the corporate world as well — a desire to get to the top of the promotional ladder, no matter who gets maligned or hurt in the process.
What Motivates Us As Christians?
What stimulates or motivates us as Christians to do what we do? It’s certainly not because we are motivated by any of the above listed factors. Most of us will never attain worldly riches in preaching and teaching the gospel (cf. Acts 3:6; James 2:5), nor will we ever be popular in the eyes of men (Matthew 10:22; Luke 21:17; cf. 2 Timothy 4:16).
As far as the world’s perception, we will never be “first” in much of anything. In fact, we’ll more than likely be last (Matthew 19:30; cf. Matthew 20:16; Matthew 21:31-32; Mark 10:28-31; Luke 13:24-30).
Our Motivating Factor
Have we ever thought about the idea that our motivating factor for doing anything, must come about because we simply love the Lord and have an inward desire to do His will? (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:36-38; Matthew 7:21). We work for the Lord, simply for the sheer enjoyment of doing so — not from any worldly stimulation or motivation. Paul even took pleasure in infirmities, because the motivating factor in his life, was his love for Christ and the salvation of precious souls (2 Corinthians 12:7-10; cf. Romans 10:1; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 – and note in vs. 18 that he preached the gospel “without charge“ – monetary gain wasn‘t his motivation).
Conclusion:
Brethren, we need to develop the mindset of doing the Lord’s work, simply because we take pleasure in doing so. If we can attain this mindset, we won’t have to be prodded to come to the assembly, nor will we have to be prodded to give, or study our Bibles. We won’t have be prodded to endure those “long” forty-five minute sermons. We won’t even have to be prodded to teach others the saving gospel of Christ.
We’ll willingly do all of these things, simply because we love the Lord (because He first loved us – 1 John 4:10), and thus we take pleasure in doing them.
What greater motivating factor could there be in life than this? (Matthew 6:19-21; Philippians 3:1-8).