Does our heavenly Father care with what motive we serve Him? Just how important is this matter of motive? What did Jesus teach about it? Will God accept the service done to glorify ourselves? What and when will be the reward for such service? Is there a tendency on the part of some to do things for self-glory? Should this tendency be encouraged?
What about church members who will not work from any other motive?
Would a public display of names of donors, with the amounts given, tend to increase the size and number of donations? To what motive would it appeal? Would those whose names appeared as donors be praised? If so, by whom? Would their degree of praise differ? If so, on what basis? Is this always a strictly true and just basis for praise?
In Christ's days on earth, what class of Jews would have favored such a bulletin? Where would the widow with her two mites have stood on the list? Would such a plan have contributed to her enjoyment of the temple service? Would Jesus have favored it?
To what extent are we appealing to the motive of self-glory in our efforts to increase church activity? Ought we to increase this element of appeal? Ought we to decrease it? Ought we to eliminate it? Would the last bring a summary collapse of certain church activities? If so, why?
Washington, D. C.
