Sometimes you can do the right things for the wrong reasons. For example, you might want to preach so you become famous, lead worship to display your passion for God, or pursue a leadership role so people must listen to you. None of those opportunities are wrong, but they can be idolized if the end goal is self, not God. God calls you to worship Him and Him alone. You must live your life as He desires you to live it.

Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people” (emphasis added). “Not for people” includes you and me. We do not live for our own glory.

This does not mean you and I cannot have fun in this life, but our life focus, in every work, must be God’s glory. Ministry is never ultimately about building our own reputation or receiving the praise of others. Examine your motives and consider whether you have been ministering for self-glory or God’s glory.

Do Not Rely on Your Gifting

God gifted you to serve the church, but if you are not careful, you can rely on your giftings instead of the gift-Giver. For example, you might be a competent preacher. Over time, you may be tempted to rely on your eloquence or preparation rather than the Holy Spirit. If you sense you are burning out or losing passion while exercising your gift, consider whether your motive for ministry is purely God’s glory.

Practically, this means when people compliment you on a job well done, receive their encouragement with humility while giving God the credit and pointing others to worship Him. When you prepare a sermon or you prepare to lead in the church, your preparation should be covered in prayer, seeking God’s guidance. God is the one who gifted you in the first place.

Your gifting is not the issue, but could it be you have veered away from ministering for God’s glory? If that is you, rather than questioning your giftings or calling, prayerfully change your perspective on the opportunities before you, viewing them as opportunities to glorify God and make Him known.

Check Your Motives

While God still uses less-than-ideal circumstances for His glory, what gain is it for you to continue a lifestyle of self-centeredness? In his letter to the Christians at Philippi, Paul mentions that some during his ministry with them had been preaching the gospel with wrong motives (Phil. 1:12–20). Though wrong motives were paired with gospel preaching, Paul writes, “What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice” (Phil 1:18a).

Yet James, in his letter to the dispersed Christians of the early church, warns of the consequences that come upon those who minister with wrong motives. He writes, “Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment” (Jas. 3:1).

God’s mission will continue forward whether you are part of it or not. The question for you and me is whether will we join Him or make ministry about ourselves. We join God when we pair our giftedness with the motive of glorifying God.

Pair Your Gifting With Godly Motives

If God can work through wrong motives, imagine the fruit that can come from a Christian who pairs their gifting with godly motives.

Imagine a preacher who fully surrenders to preaching for God’s glory—one who is more concerned about pleasing God than pleasing people with his sermons (Gal 1:10). Consider a writer who treats their work as a service to others, trusting God to work in the lives of those who read an article like this, rather than seeking the popularity of their publications to affirm their identity. Think of a worship leader who recognizes that the only reason they are leading God’s people in song is because of His grace and mercy in their life.

God’s mission does not depend on us or our right motives, yet He graciously invites us to participate in His work (Eph. 2:10).

Glorify God and Serve Others

I am convinced that a constant check up on ministry motives is necessary. Like Paul challenged the church at Corinth to examine themselves to see if they are in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5), the same idea applies to pastors, preachers, church staff, lay leaders, and Christians who actively serve the church: Examine your motives for ministry.

Are you ministering for self-glory or God’s glory? Your gifting is not the problem, but your motives might be. Pair your gifting with a heart that seeks God’s glory above your own and discipline yourself for godliness (1 Tim. 4:7). Indeed, as Peter encourages:

Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (1 Pet. 4:10–11).