MAY 14 

1 Corinthians 3:12-15
Memorise 1 Corinthians 3:13
“…but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

Having the right motive in my service to God is one of the greatest struggles which I personally face. Even though I might appear on the outside to be serving actively and fervently, what matters is the inner motives of my heart. Am I serving for the right motives? Or am I serving for ulterior, selfish, sinful motives?

In today’s reading, Paul speaks of the Day of Judgment which all believers will have to go through. The judgment which we will all have to face concerns our works, for “every man’s work shall be made manifest”. What will be examined by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself will be the works that we have done while on earth, purportedly in His name. Only the “gold, silver, precious stones” (verse 12) will survive the trial by fire, while the “wood, hay, stubble” will all be burnt up. 

This is why your motives in service are so critical. Service that is rendered to God out of a pure heart will be accepted by Him, and He will reward accordingly (verse 14). However, service that is done for the wrong motives will amount to an absolute zero in God’s eyes. Though your salvation and your place in heaven is still secure, it will be as if you have gone through your entire life without having accomplished a single thing for God. How ashamed and miserable it would be to come to God empty-handed!

Dear teen, never forget that God sees every motive of our heart. What matters most is not the outward acts of service which we do and are seen by men, but the motive behind these acts that only God sees.

Thought: Why do I serve? 
Prayer: Lord, help me to serve Thee with the right motives.