3rd March, 2022.

FOR LOVE OR FOR EXTRINSIC REWARD?

1Cor 2:9 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him— NIV

Psychologists believe that there are two motivating factors that determine why people do what they do. The first motivation is what they call "Intrinsic Motivation" while the second is called "Extrinsic Motivation". The former involves doing things or engaging in certain activities out of love and pleasure. Love and pleasure is seen as the reward itself. The latter involves doing things because of factors outside oneself. Here, it could be because of money, job, promotion or approval. In life, we all do what we do for either of these two factors including preaching/ ministry. Should that surprise you? Paul the Apostle says, "It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. THE LATTER DO SO OUT OF LOVE( Intrinsic Motivation), knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel", Phil 1:15-16 NIV. There's a semblance of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in the verse above. Paul affirmed that his preaching was borne out of love.

Another scripture that buttresses this point further can be found in 2Cor2:17: "YOU SEE, WE ARE NOT LIKE THE MANY HUCKSTERS WHO PREACH FOR PERSONAL PROFIT( Extrinsic Motivation). We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us", NLT. This is the one million dollar question I have for you today, "Should we serve God for the Intrinsic Motivation or the Extrinsic Motivation"? Should our service to God, giving( tithe&offering), support for missions, commitment, church attendance, prayer, fasting and devotion be tied to the physical reward that satisfies our earthly longing? There are messages that encourages people to serve God and His kingdom for extrinsic gratification. Such messages present kingdom service, giving and other forms of commitment to God as an exchange platform to meet human needs. Most people in this category becomes weary when their needs aren't met. Some even backslide. Haven't you heard of people who turned their backs on God because they didn't get the result they wanted after they served, gave and committed their time to God? If they had done those out of love, I'm sure they'll be standing regardless of result. We often forget that the goodness of God can't be bought but mostly an act of God's grace. Some of the characters in the faith hall of fame were so much in love with God to the point where they died even without seeing the promise fulfilled.

Hey! What about being sold out to God and serving Him wholeheartedly out of a loving devotion even if no physical reward is attached? Spiritual babes( regardless of the number of years spent in the faith) serve the Lord for the perks not for love. What if God chooses not to answer that prayer, give you a spouse, a child, etc, will you still serve Him wholeheartedly from a loving heart? Our service, giving and devotion may not be acceptable to God until love for God becomes the motivation and driving force. While in Paul's day, some were preaching for extrinsic gratification, Paul made it clear that he was in it for love whether he gets honorarium or not. The persecutions, beatings and imprisonments of Paul did not deter him from pursuing his ministry because he was motivated by love not the extrinsic gratification of comfort and what money can buy. When you mature in spiritual things, you'll begin to do things in the kingdom because of the love you have for God even when no one says "thank you" or gives a physical reward.