Motivation Motivation: One of the keys to Christianity Some Christians get caught up in the rituals of Christianity. People think that just doing the physical things required of Christians by God is enough. However, God also wants are motivation to be right.

Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sward, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Jesus Christ is the word of God, John 1:1 Christ judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. One day we will have to stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give account for how we have lived. Not just what we did but why we did it!

Wrong Motivation Matthew 6:1 Giving to the Needy Be careful not to do your acts of righteous before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Wrong Motivation 2 Corinthians 9:7 Tithing Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver.

Proper Motivation Luke 21:1-4 As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Baptism The proper motivation for being baptized must be faith in God. Colossians 2:12 Having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.