Day 61: 1 Thessalonians 2:5-6

“For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.”



Motivations is a very important thing. God doesn’t only judge us for our actions, but for our motivations as well. Unfortunately for us this means that we can do good things for the wrong reasons, thus sinning, and also have good things we try to do go completely bad. Kind of a bummer.


Here’s three motivations that you don’t want to get caught with as you spend your time as Christian leaders: flattery, greed, or glory. These are three killer motivations. Notice they have nothing to do with bringing glory to God, but rather to yourself. Notice they don’t benefit the Kindgom of God, either. They benefit the kingdom of you.


This world is full of salesmen. If you’ve ever been on the wrong end of a sales pitch, you know what it’s like, and usually, you can tell what the salesman’s motivation is. Usually they want to sell you something so they get paid. It’s their job. Sometimes they are trying to sell you an idea, and they tell you how smart you’ll be or good looking you’ll be if you will only use their product or adopt their idea. Commercials are good at this. Other times, they are selling themselves. They want you to know how good they are.


Please don’t misunderstand me: I’m not beating up salespeople; I’m just saying a Christian leader doesn’t employ the motivations of greed, glory, or flattery when we tell others about Jesus Christ, or lead in our businesses or ministries.


Our motivations must be pure, love for God, which leads us to share the gospel because God wants us to, and love of others, which will lead us to take care of others and do things for them, not us.


A Christian leader has to live of course, and we’re all prideful enough that sooner or later we’ll attempt to bring glory to ourselves, but remember: God knows what we need, and He will not leave us to ourselves. If we obey and honor God, He’ll take care of the rest. We don’t need to help Him out. He’s got it covered.


CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE: Beware of motivations other than love of God and love of others. They give way to greed, flattery, and glory.


Here’s a set of verses to meditate on today: Matthew 6:31-33


Prayer: Master, keep my motivations pure. Help me to remember that You will take care of me, and that You are enough for me. Keep me from greed, glory, and flattery. In Christ’s name, amen.

Day 27: 1 Thessalonians 2:4

“but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.”



Have you ever found yourself doing something good for the wrong reasons? How does that feel? Do you think it’s right?


Leaders often walk a fine line when it comes to motivation. Many leaders, being aware of how to please people and what it takes to lead them, will do things specifically to cultivate their own leadership. A Christian leader must never be like this.


A Christian leader does the right thing, and pleases God. This, in the end, will earn you as much respect and a larger following than will being a person whose motivation is selfish and egocentric.


Our motivations must be one of the things that separates Christian and secular leaders.


Sooner or later people will begin to question why you do things. No one is immune to this questioning, not even Paul. The Thessalonians, the Corinthians, and the Galatians (that we know of) questioned why Paul did what he did, and Paul was doing it for the right reasons. Paul was able to show these congregations whose interest he had in his heart because he was serving God.


If you are doing the right thing, saying the right thing, being the religious person, preaching the right message etc, merely to gain a following you will be found out. In fact, you already are. Paul makes very clear in this passage that it is God who tests the heart. God knows why you do the things you do, and if your followers don’t they soon will.


You’re not fooling anyone, so why try? It’s one thing to say and do all the right things, and another to mean them. As leaders we have to mean it. God demands that we do, and those we lead will demand it too.


CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE: A Christian leader does the right thing with pure, God-driven motivation. They do not do the right thing merely to be seen as someone who does or because people will follow them if they do. We do the right thing because we love God and want to be like His Son, Jesus


Here’s a set of verses to meditate on today: Proverbs 16:25


Prayer: Father, help me to have the right motivation. Help me to love You more. Help me to love me less. Search my heart, Lord, and show me where my motivation is wrong. In Christ’s name, amen.