Will You Pass The Heart Test?
I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. LORD, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. I Chronicles 29:17-18
David led the nation of Israel to give generously toward the building fund for the palatial temple that was going to be built for God. He was simply overwhelmed at the opportunity they had to give. He burst into a prayer of praise saying, "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?" David felt overwhelmed by the privilege to give back to God the blessings He had so generously bestowed upon his life.
In the midst of praising and thanking God, David made a statement that is worth pondering over: "I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent." David was making the point that even the things we do for God, including our giving can be flawed if they are not done with willingness, honesty of heart and integrity. David reminds us that God is continually testing our hearts and the motives behind our actions, including the very things we do for him!
So, question: Will you pass the heart test? Do you serve God with integrity? What is the real motivation behind what you do for God and others? Do you serve and give willingly because you genuinely desire to honor God with your time, talents and treasures? Or do you do it for personal gratification because others will herald your actions? Do you do it to be seen and rewarded by men? Do you do it because of financial motivation or gain? What is your true motivation for the things you do?
May the Holy Spirit help us so, that like David, we will serve God with honest intent because we are deeply in love with Him, and He deserves our highest praise for the privilege He has given us to be His children. Always remember that God so loved us that He gave us His only Son, Jesus Christ to die for us. God gave us His very best so let us give Him our very best out of genuine hearts! So, will you pass the heart test?
In the midst of praising and thanking God, David made a statement that is worth pondering over: "I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent." David was making the point that even the things we do for God, including our giving can be flawed if they are not done with willingness, honesty of heart and integrity. David reminds us that God is continually testing our hearts and the motives behind our actions, including the very things we do for him!
So, question: Will you pass the heart test? Do you serve God with integrity? What is the real motivation behind what you do for God and others? Do you serve and give willingly because you genuinely desire to honor God with your time, talents and treasures? Or do you do it for personal gratification because others will herald your actions? Do you do it to be seen and rewarded by men? Do you do it because of financial motivation or gain? What is your true motivation for the things you do?
May the Holy Spirit help us so, that like David, we will serve God with honest intent because we are deeply in love with Him, and He deserves our highest praise for the privilege He has given us to be His children. Always remember that God so loved us that He gave us His only Son, Jesus Christ to die for us. God gave us His very best so let us give Him our very best out of genuine hearts! So, will you pass the heart test?
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the privilege to serve you and give back to you the blessings you have so undeservedly showered on me. Please help me to serve and give out of a genuine heart of gratitude and worship and not from any ulterior reasons and motives. Amen.