Proverbs 21 - 2.2.23

Scripture‭‭

Proverbs‬ ‭21:2-3, & 27‬ ‭NLT

“People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.

The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives.”

Observation-What does it say?

Another set of proverbs given by King Solomon. In these particular verses he writes of God knowing our true heart and motives behind our actions.

Understanding-What does it mean?

You can’t fool God.

I remember when I was still new to my faith. Deep down I thought by me tithing, I can buy God’s favor and protection. I thought if I didn’t give back to God, something bad was going to happen to me. Maybe something breaking down with my car, in my home, or a family sickness. In a sense, some of that can be true. But we all know you can’t buy God’s favor. I mean what was I thinking?! Did I really think that I can buy God to be my personal bodyguard?! You see, although God is my protector, it isn’t because I paid Him to do it.

The same goes for a time when I would hear stories of someone like Pastor Rick Warren, (the author of A Purpose Driven Life and Lead Pastor at Saddleback Church), and how generous he was with his money. I would read stories of no matter how much he would give back, God would bless him with so much more money. I thought to myself, “Maybe if I’m generous like that, God will make me rich too?!” Now although Jesus does call us to be generous with others and our giving, I don’t think it was so that we can become filthy rich. For both scenarios that I stated, I had to ask myself, “What are my true motives behind my actions? “Was I doing these things to receive God’s presence? Or was I doing it to receive His presents?” 🤔

God knew my heart at that time. He knew my selfish ambitions behind my actions. It took the Holy Spirit to get a hold of me and remind me why I should be doing the things God tells me to do. Not because I want something in return, but because I love Him. I love Him because He first loved me.

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”-‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭NLT

Life Application

Give generously what you can with your time or money, with no strings attached.

Be giving to someone today. No strings attached. No ulterior motives. Remember what God did for us and still continues to do for us. Remember why we do what we do as His children.

-Moses Gaddi

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