ESTABLISHING MOTIVES

DAY 48

A brief extract from one commentary about today’s text read “Whatever the occasion, we aspire to be at the top of the pack, looked up to by the masses”.
One might think this relates to the attainment of mastery, but it is far from it. Instead of a rise to the top being driven by a desire for growth, the version being portrayed is one fueled fully by self.

The people about whom we read were building the tower for one reason “to make a name for themselves”. That sounds like something good, but mind you “where self is exalted, God is often eliminated”. The scope and context of their actions no longer mattered  because their motive was wrong from the very onset.

God is a judge not only of deeds, but also of motives and intentions. He sees more than what we do, but also why we do them. We could spend hours praying, or days in a fast but why? Is it for fellowship with God or because we want to outcompete others? Do we want more from God just so we can rub it in the face of others? What exactly are the motives behind our dealings with God and with men?

We ought to pay attention to the why we do things, because that why is as important as the action itself.

#sly