Motive Series

Motive has a lot to do with the spirit of the law? Let’s look at motive in three areas highlighted by Jesus.

1. Motive in Giving to the Poor

Christians are to help the poor, but with what motive?

This is a complementary passage to Jesus’ instructions to let our light (of good works) shine. We are all well aware of celebrities who give but love to wallow in the limelight of charitable giving. It is certainly a wonderful thing to give to the poor, but with what attitude do we give?

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. (Matthew 6:1-4 NKJV)

Rather than the narcissistic motive of giving in order to get glory to ourselves, we should let the light of good deeds shine for others to see, in order to give glory to God as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:14-16. If we are tempted to give to charity pretentiously seeking self-glory, it would be better to give in secret.

Christians are to help the poor and needy, but our motive ought to be to give God the glory, not ourselves.

2. Motive in Public Devotion

Public prayer is not wrong, because even Jesus prayed in public, but again Jesus wants us to understand the importance of motive.

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:5-6 NIV)

Was Jesus forbidding anything but prayer in a private place? Clearly He encouraged prayer in the Temple.

He said to them, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be called a house of prayer,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves!" (Matthew 21:13 NLT)

The disciples also prayed when they were together.

All these were continually devoting themselves with one mind to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. (Acts 1:14 NASB)

A small group prayed by a river.

And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. (Acts 16:13 ESV)

A group even prayed in public on the seashore.

When our time had come to an end, we departed. All of them, including women and children, accompanied us out of town where we knelt on the beach and prayed. (Acts 21:5 CEB)

Paul encouraged people to pray everywhere.

I want everyone everywhere to lift innocent hands toward heaven and pray, without being angry or arguing with each other. (1 Timothy 2:8 CEV)

It is a good practice to pray all day long. Ask God’s blessing before we drive, while we drive, before starting our work day, throughout the day, and to give thanks always.

The context of Jesus’ instructions regarding private prayer and these other examples show that he did not teach us about only using a prayer closet, but rather to highlight what our motive ought to be in prayer. If we are uncertain that our motive may be to show off spiritually or promote ourselves as super-spiritual, then it would be better to pray in private.

Jesus himself prayed in public but from a different attitude of heart, when He resurrected Lazarus. What was His motive for praying in public?

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” (John 11:41-42 NIV)

Vain Repetition

Is repetition in prayer wrong? Let’s look at what Jesus taught.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. (Matthew 6:7-8 KJV)