It's a cliche joke-y type of situation. An actor is having trouble with a particular scene, and they ask the director "What's my motivation?". Of course, this is not just a catchphrase for a clueless or difficult actor. Sometimes, this question can be uttered in an honest request to understand the character more fully.
You see, the question "What's my motivation?" has to do with the internals (emotions and psychology) that motivate and prompt the externals (actions and attitudes). Think about recent decisions you've made, and trace them back to the internal elements that motivate them. I think you'll find that (under most circumstances) there are some very logical causes for our choices, however senseless they may seem to others who cannot see our internal motivations.
Think about the follow extreme example:
No one robs a bank on a whim. There must exist at least one very strong emotional or psychological motivation. If a person is in a desperate situation, and is about to lose their house to foreclosure and their vehicles to repossession, it may eventually lead to a situation where bank robbery seems like an unfortunate but necessary last resort (key word in this sentence is "seem"; bank robbery is never a necessary last resort). Financial desperation (internal) can motivate someone to rob a bank, however strange that might seem to an observer. Likewise, relentless greed (internal) coupled with a lack of professional skills required to get a high-paying job can motivate criminal activity like bank robbery.
But, I think it can be said with relative confidence that very few people wake up in the morning, hop in the car and are on their way to work when the spy a bank along the side of the road, and for no other reason other than the mere existence of the bank, they decide to pop in and hold up a group of people at gunpoint for a few bags full of cash. There MUST be some sort of internal motivator.
Along these lines, today I'm dealing with the question I hear every now and then that goes something like this: "Is it okay for followers of Christ to work hard to become wealthy?"
That is a difficult question to answer. There are people on both sides of the debate that would argue that a firm answer of "Yes" or "No" is warranted without qualification. I think that oversimplifies the issue a bit.
We are told, as Christians, to work in our chosen vocation as if we are working for the LORD (Col 3:23). Therefore, if we are to work with great diligence in our jobs, as if Jesus was our boss, it stands to reason that hard work sometimes (not always, I realize) can result in promotions and positions of greater authority. And with those situations can come additional income.
I do not think it is sinful for people to strive for excellence in their careers. In fact, I think this is Godly (notable exceptions include prostitution, working in a strip club, bar tending, or things that deal with activities that displease God). However, to get to the true heart of the matter, we have to know something about the motivation for striving to earn more money.
Is the motivation to earn more money so that more money is available for charitable giving and generosity? I'm not saying that every penny earned should go toward giving, but with an increase in income, would the increase in giving be proportional?
OR, is the motivation to earn more money so that more items that might be considered luxury or frivolous can be obtained? This is clearly sinful behavior.
The bottom line is this: I believe that on its face, striving for excellence in your career which may include earning more money can be honorable. However, the motivations for doing so MUST be examined.
Ultimately, the answer to the question of motivation will shed light on who is at the center of our lives. If Jesus is at the center, our motivation will be to earn more so we can pour out more in service to others. If self is at the center, there is no doubt that any extra income will be frittered away buying more junk that ultimately accomplishes nothing for the Kingdom of God.
So, I ask you: What's your motivation?
Learning to Give in a Getting World, by Marc Farnell and Jesse Greever, is available as both a paperback and eBook at the following locations:
Amazon.com (paperback, $9.99; eBook, $5.99) NEW LOWER PRICES!
It is also available to Amazon Prime members as a free eBook download as a part of the Kindle Lending Library. Pastors and church administrators can contact me directly at jesse@accidental-author.com to find out about discounts available for churches that wish to use this for teaching and small group curriculum.
You can also become a fan of the book at www.facebook.com/LearningToGive.
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