R.E.A.P. your daily devotions with Linda Bailey

The intention behind our actions is often more powerful than the actions themselves.

Acts 4.32-5.11

Reference:  v.5.2  With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. (NIV Bible)

Explore:  When I was at school there was a class mate who was a Christian and they really wanted to serve God.  They had decided that they could serve God in any field so their final score wasn't really that important.  The result of this, however, was that they didn't apply themselves to their class work or their home work.  Those close enough to them knew that their desire to serve God was not the only reason for not studying.  The class mate was lazy and unmotivated and their desire to serve God was just a poor excuse for not applying themselves.
Ananias and Sapphira wanted to serve God and did that by giving part of their property's sale to the disciples.  They did this however in the guise that they had given all their sale price, therefore lying for the sake of more praise.  This clearly grieved God and the disciples and their fate was quite fatal!

Application:  The intention behind our actions is often more powerful than the actions themselves.  If we do things for our own gain then we lack integrity.  In time people will see our true intentions.  The harsh reality is that we worship an all-knowing God, so He probably knows our intentions before we do!  Luckily He is gracious, but I'm sure He is well pleased when He sees our motives are to honor and worship Him in all we do. 

Prayer:  Lord, so often we do things to please others or please ourselves and we do not put You first.  Forgive us and help us to have you at the front of all we do today.  Amen.