INTENTIONS! INTENTIONS! INTENTIONS!

Whatever we do for the LORD, He always look at the intent of the heart. We can give to the poor or minister His Word from a pulpit. Again He's still observing the intent of our heart. Whenever we do the work of the LORD, we need to ask ...ourselves. What are my true intentions? Is God pleased with my intentions? Are my intentions pure and holy?

My husband and I once met a native African pastor who spent most of his time helping the poor in his communities. We believed that his intentions were pure at heart so we began to help him. Later in our relationship, he became offended at the way we did things and ended the relationship. We also found out the true intention of his heart in helping the poor in his communities. Whenever he travelled to America, he would tell sad stories and share sad photos regarding the poor in his country in order to gain financial assistance. To ease his conscious, he would spend a tiny amount of money to help the poor in his communities, but the bulk of the money was used to educate his children and help his own family. Christ Jesus knew that the intentions of his heart was selfishness and greed. The sad part to this story is he did not live to see his children grown. He later died of cancer.

When we do the work of the LORD, we need to search our hearts and make sure our intentions are pure and holy in the sight of God, not mankind; for we will truly reap what we have sown. Selah.

Note: This post is not intended to discourage a person from doing good, only to think about the intent of our heart when doing good. The good works may look good in the sight of mankind, but if the intent and purpose of the heart is wrong, then God is not pleased.