Dear Reader,

I want to tell you Stories of 3 Different People In looking and thinking About Good motives And Life’s meaning.

I guess some of my underlying thoughts are that capitalism can be a good thing when motivated by people with philanthropic hearts. I remember people like Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel who headed a very important American company. And yes they made astonishing amounts of money, but with it, they did exceeding good and contributed to many people’s lives. Socialistic thought is that sharing ought to be mandatory & enforced by a government, who does not seem to abide by those principles themselves. Sharing is not healthy when it is forced. It is oppressive Rule and dictatorial persecution.

Sharing must be motivated by caring to make a real difference and be genuine. Without it – the ones providing the money will feel used. And the ones receiving it will feel entitled. So the point is here – it is not the sharing itself that is the key; but the motive behind the sharing.

Motive, now there’s a word…
Jesus was all about it. He said that more importantly than just your actions is the thoughts and intentions of your heart, behind the actions. Oh well back to my three promised stories.

The first story is about a current Florida football player. He is leaving the squad after much adulation from the fans and a very successful year of playing. College football used to have much school spirit and genuine community bonding possibilities through the healthiness of a true school commitment. Now the transfer portal has turned collegiate football into a mini NFL. And most of the things that I loved and admired about college football, (In terms of athletes playing for a measure other than money) seems to have been discarded in this pursuit of the Mighty dollar bill. And turning the great Collegiate competitive atmosphere into a money-grubbing pursuit of hedonism above true passion and heart. So this young Collegiate athlete leaves for the promise of a half million dollars and guaranteed playing time, which should only be earned by performance.

I’m not foolish. I get it = that Minimal starting salary in the NFL is 800 thousand dollars. And these athletes could get injured and miss out on that potential, if they don’t collect now. I get that. But somehow we have still discarded Collegiate spirit and heart for a pure pursuit of the dollar bill.

Unselfish Motive does not seem to matter to this young man outside of having self-serving accomplishments & rewards. Should self-service ever be the highest measure of personal growth and success. I think not.

Look at the wonderful athletic prowess of Tim Tebow. Who now has not only accomplished worldly acclaim. But in the process been a benevolent benefactor of good, mercy and Truth, everywhere he has been and everywhere he goes .

The second story is about a shy unassuming lady, at my church. You would never hear from her about any of her own accomplishments from her. Anytime there is an event Benefiting or helping others though, She is there At the Forefront contributing. Though she would never tell you this. The story is told of a little Dutch boy who found a hole in the Dike and put his finger in it when it was leaking. And this young boy stayed there all night in the cold, to keep the water from coming through. And the story is told that his bravery saved everyone else.

Though it may be a fable. It represents a real truth. His actions may have seen small, but they were the very actions that God used to prevent a flood. How often this is true in real life. Many unknowns do save the day – though it is never known or broadcast.

What you do is so significant. Because when you give, you encourage and strengthen many others.

A couple of years ago, my wife Dawn adopted a favorite song. It was called “Dream Small.” And the words of this song point out;  how people who don’t feel like they’re doing much are often the true heroes of us all.  Take a listen. ( Heath Bros. https://youtu.be/X t_7ITi6ano?si=uDhA-24oaQWCY5uU )

The third and last story is of a friend of mine in Pakistan. Who because of his faith in Christ is endangered everyday. Not only he but his wife and four children. A private source is working regularly with me, to try to help him escape his terrible danger and plight.  Right now the temperature is literally -1 when he gets up in the morning, in a home with no power.

His greatest desire (motive) is to serve God with his wife and children in a place that is safe and free. It makes me literally cry when I think of his dire straights. Especially when I compare this knowing, with the thought of his pure heart.

I am working and praying so that someday, he may know the truth of his healthy designed dreams, that he has for freedom and safety. And when I look at the motives of his heart compared to the self-serving narcissism, of the young man looking for his ultimate worth at 19 years old. I cannot help but think that we are not enough of an Ethics driven Society.

I understand that money matters. But it matters more, When motive Matters first. Jesus taught us to love God with all our heart, soul and strength & our neighbors as ourself. Somehow I don’t think that people in society will discover a true motive. Until  really weighing and applying the unselfish teaching of Jesus.

I promised only three stories. But I think I need to make it four. Jesus talked of a poor widow woman, who came To Give at the temple. She only had a very small Amount Of substance. She gave what is equivalent in today’s economy of less than a penny. But it was all that she had to live on. And she gladly gave it from her heart.

Obviously she did this – because her heart was more important to her, than her substance. I wish the rest of the story was told and we saw where this Widow was blessed for her goodness and generosity. But the rest of the story is not told – other than Jesus saying that she would be blessed in eternity, more than the rich dignitary who gave much. Because in actuality the poor widow really gave more, because she gave all that she had.

I believe that this poor Widow who is remembered even today – taught the essence of what really matters. Motive really matters. Giving All our heart Is the Measure Of Richness! No matter whether we have much or whether we have little, we can give our all to Jesus.

So I guess I’m endorsing; that we question our motives. And seek more to be like this poor little widow woman of antiquity, than the current affluent self-serving young man in my first story, who has not learned that motive matters.

We all need to examine our motives. Because they matter! How do I know??Jesus said so!