2 Corinthians 4:1-6: Motives for Ministry

According to educator Edes Gilbert, getting a good education for their children is not the only factor motivating some of today’s parents to enroll their children in elite schools.

During her 15 years as headmistress of Spence, a prestigious Upper East Side girls school in New York City, Ms. Gilbert has seen an increasing number of parents using their children’s education for their own benefit.

It seems that for many parents, having a child admitted into a prestigious school is important not only for the child’s sake, but also for the enormous social advantages it provides the parents. Contacts made in the elite elementary school context can give parents a leg up in the social scene.

This mixed parental motivation for admission has had a dramatic impact on the children’s educational environment. Ms. Gilbert knows parents have applied to her kindergarten because the children of Sigourney Weaver, Michael Bloomberg, and Katie Couric attended there. Parents lobby for their 7-year-olds to be assigned to classes with children whose parents are rich and prominent—in hopes that the parents would become friends. Parents jockey to volunteer for the parent committees that would give them the best contacts. It has degenerated to the point where “Back to School Night” has taken on the atmosphere of a competitive Park Avenue cocktail party. (Source: Preaching Today)

Aristotle once observed, “All that we do is done with an eye to something else.” In other words, our actions are prompted by some motive. The motive can be good, godly, and honorable. Or our actions may be incited by some ulterior motive. Sadly some religious folks have hidden, selfish motives in serving God.

In the context of today’s text, Paul affirms that his ministry is motivated by the glorious gospel of Christ. This is in contrast to the false, Judaizing teachers that attacked Paul with unfounded accusations. Although he faced many trials and endured severe persecution, Paul would not quit. The hope of the gospel and God’s mercy supplied the motivation not to “lose heart” (2Cor. 4:1).

Furthermore, unlike his detractors, Paul wrote, “But we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the Word of God, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Cor. 4:2). Paul was open and honest. He had nothing to hide. His preaching and teaching was motivated by God’s grace and a love for the Truth.

In addition, Paul affirmed “We preach not ourselves!” (2Cor. 4:5). Paul was not a self-promoter. Nor did he glory in his accomplishments. He gave God the glory. His ministry did not exploit people for personal advantage or financial gain. In fact, he often gave up his rights in order to be more effective in his work and negate accusations of carnal intentions.

If you haven’t already, read this text (2 Cor. 4:1-6). Then think about it as it applies to your service to the Lord.

Every preacher should ask, “Why am I preaching? What’s my motive?” Is it for personal gain? Is it to receive praise or to enjoy prestige? Is it just for a paycheck?

Every pastor should ask, “Why am I shepherding the flock? What’s my motive?” Is it because of love for souls? Or is it a way to relish position? Am I a servant leader? Or am I demanding dictator?

Such questions and personal soul-searching could be asked of every deacon, song leader, and Bible class teacher. What’s my motive in serving? Is it selfish? Or is it to honor God and serve others?

Finally, every Christian can profit by self-examination of the motives regarding their attendance, involvement, ministry, and even monetary giving? Is the church just a place for you to network your business? Or a status symbol in your community? Are you attending out of compulsion? Habit? Tradition? Selfish ambition? Or a sincere love of the Lord?

Why should we do good? Show kindness? Be honest? Extend hospitality? Help the needy? Bear one another’s burden? Share our resources? Show mercy? And return good for evil? The answer lies in the right motive. As the Talmud says, “The whole worth of a kind deed lies in the love that inspires it.”

The American sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, known for his work on Mount Rushmore, was right when he wrote, “Nothing in life is without cause and effect. Nothing is merely a shell. Everything has some motive.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman