#3understand: Motives Series

#3 In series on 5 part series UNDERSTANDING.

This part is UNDERSTANDING THE MOTIVE.

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr.

Kyfingers@aol.com

Let us ponder MOTIVES!

Many suffer from a lack of understanding. We need God to help us grow a SPIRIT of UNDERSTANDING!

TEXT:

Philipians 4:17 NOT BECAUSE I DESIRE A GIFT, BUT I DESIRE FRUIT THAT MAY ABOUND TO YOUR ACCOUNT.

Matthew 19:30...But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

Matthew 25: 40 Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these....ye have done it unto me.

Matthew 25:45 Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not unto me.

We must quit despising the day of the small things? Zech 4:10.

We are pondering a spirit of error that develops in ministry, a lack of understanding, or a spiritual attitude that leads to error: it is easy to grow and give ultimatums and demands that would push Christian leaders to

want to see and feel good right now.

We can expect to see the fruits of our labors and our goals to become visible right now. But if this is your expectation you will quit in heart break.

Before Linda and I moved into our first home in 1998, I did some preparation work, and two men came and laid forms and poured 17 yards of concrete for our back patio and car port.

At the end of six hours of work, there was a beautiful slab of concrete.

I stood and admired the work as the sun went down.

I said "WOW."

I loved seeing what the work of our hands accomplished.

I thought, Lord I would like a job where at the end of the day,

I could see the fruits of my labor.

We built a wooden deck on front, 21 x18, at the end of the day we were not finished, but I sat out side and admired all the sawing and framing and nailing.

I said, Lord I should have been a carpenter, for at the end of the day I could looked back and see what I had accomplished.

By lunch the next day, I grabbed a seat in the shade and admired our work.

By sun down, I had me an easy chair and with Linda, my precious wife, we sat for the first time on a beautiful deck and enjoyed the stars from the level of a finished product.

Then, I lusted for a job where in I could see the fruit of my efforts where I had invested my time and effort.

I am in the wrong calling for that?

Years of honored work can be seldom acknowledged in ministry by sight or feelings.

I have this love of trophies. Trophies show what you have done.

I have none that count.

Sometimes trophies are even given to losers for their participation.

If that is the truth, where are my trophies, I cry?

I have one tiny little trophy, I drove Brother Vannucci’s boys from his church to an Assemblies Of God State Basketball Tourney 17 years ago, they won, and one of the boys asked for me a trophy.

Now, if you interpret this as a sadness, you are very wrong.

I made a choice to build families years ago.

What I am saying is my life has been invested out of the spot light.

That is my choice.

I traveled 6 years on a silver eagle bus, recorded albums, tapes and had request for autographs -- I have had a few standing ovations for showy guitar solo’s, I have done studio work with my music, but I made a decision 21 years ago, that the applause of men fades too quickly.

Much of this was shallowness and vanity.

Since I have given myself to pastoring, I have not had one request for an autograph.

Now, my playing is a requirement of the job -- and we play for no applause?

There is seldom a kind word expressed for my guitar playing for worship.

Maybe if you read this you will brag on your church’s praise team?

I play for a different motive -- the slobbers of old folks in rest homes .. my reward --- an occasional kiss .. and many hugs --

This could be stupidity? Or this could be a search?

Many of the most talented musicians I have known have found excuses to bury their talent.

They could bless many .. and bless the Lord .. but their talents are hung beneath the juniper tree --- yet we say God would you do this for me?

An old lady spent much of her summer setting and swinging in the old swing hanging on her front porch. Her husband had been dead several years and she had withdrawn from all but the closest family.