It is an unexpected surprise to open a gift which you don’t think is going to be much and discover that the giver of the gift bought you something not only valuable, but useful. It’s not just the monetary cost that makes you feel good, but also that the person took the time to find something you really like. Their gift giving effort shows they care. However, if a few minutes after opening the present, you overhear the person who gave it to you saying to someone else, “You know I detest having to give these office party gifts. Fortunately, I was at Ross and accidentally found something that looked impressive and useful but was incredibly cheap. I really scored!”
The value of the gift nor its usefulness has not changed in the least. But your attitude toward the giver of the gift has been completely reversed. Your feeling of gratitude has been replaced by anger and a strong desire to throw the gift at him and shout, “If that’s the way you feel, you can have it back!”
Motives matter. They matter big time. One of the reasons human beings are not constantly fighting is we very often can’t know the motives of others and so we assume the best. God, on the other hand, knows our motives, just as he does our thoughts. He knows when we try to con him, when we play the religious game, appearing to be righteous and holy, but for all the wrong reasons.
Whether we play nice with God to create a pious impression for other people or do something extraordinarily good because we want God to do something for us, the message of Jesus is loud and clear: “It doesn’t work.” Playing games with God is so serious because we deceive ourselves into thinking that everything is great between us when in reality we drift farther and farther from him. With God, sincerity is everything. Join us this Sunday as we continue to be challenged by Jesus’ description of the Christian life. While it is humbling, it is the life he saved us to live!
Sunday Morning Worship – 10:00 am