Ideally we receive good from the good heart of others. And naturally it seems as if their gift is cheapened when their motives are not pure. But there’s a time to receive goodness for its own sake without questioning the motives behind it.
For example, this was the case as Paul acknowledged some preached the gospel of Christ with false motives, while others from a genuine heart. But Paul rejoiced either way because the message about Christ was being preached. The good that God intended did not depend on human motives. And the same remains true throughout our life and relationships.
Of course, it’s only reasonable to expect and desire pure hearts whenever a friend shows up for our special day, our kids get us the perfect gift for our birthday, or our wife initiates a loving encounter in just the way we like it. And certainly disappointment would follow if we ever discovered their kindness was tied to ulterior motives.
But all too often we start making assumptions and questioning the heart of the other when it’s best just to receive the gift for what it is. To be sure, it’s not immediately our burden to bear even if ulterior motives are present. God will hold them accountable for their heart attitudes, and this is not something we have to fret about in receiving their gift.
Ultimately, the goodness of the gift is not dependent on the heart of the other, as God is able to use even hard hearts to accomplish the good he intends. This is not to suggest our heart toward each other doesn’t matter. But we don’t have to dilute the goodness God brings us through others by constantly judging the motives of their heart.
In the end, rejoice when goodness flows to you from pure motives. But don’t disregard God’s goodness when he also uses the hard hearts of others to accomplish his good purposes for you. Learn to receive goodness for what it is without always questioning the human motive behind it.
