The Worst of Motives
James 4:2,3 You want things, but you don’t get them. So you kill and are jealous of others. But you still cannot get what you want. So you argue and fight. You don’t get what you want because you don’t ask God. Or when you ask, you don’t receive anything, because the reason you ask is wrong. You only want to use it for your own pleasure.
Sometimes, to get what you want in this world, you just have to go and take it. Sometimes, to get what you want, you have to beat the other guy. And that … that’s the thinking that gets us into so much trouble.
Have you ever wanted something that someone else has? Have you ever felt the need to take something that isn’t rightfully yours because … well, you deserve it?
You deserve the credit for this great accomplishment at work, not the next person. You’ve worked hard so you should have a bigger house or a nicer car, so you go and bury yourself in debt. You deserve … much better than what you’re getting and certainly better than the next person. And how well has that worked out for you in the past, hmm?
James 4:2,3 You want things, but you don’t get them. So you kill and are jealous of others. But you still cannot get what you want. So you argue and fight. You don’t get what you want because you don’t ask God. Or when you ask, you don’t receive anything, because the reason you ask is wrong. You only want to use it for your own pleasure.
Never a truer word spoken, eh?
We want it all for ourselves, for our own pleasure, whether we take it from someone else or whether we demand it from God. When are we finally going to learn, you and I, that selfish tantrums never, ever end up getting us what we really want? Oh, sure … they may lead to short term gratification, but never long-term satisfaction.
#NoteToSelf: Stop being so darned selfish. Humble yourself before God and ask for good things that’ll overflow out into other people’s lives for His glory.
That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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