For years I read Ecclesiastes 12:14 (“For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”) to mean that God judges my thoughts as well as my actions. However, recent events have forced me to reconsider the “secret thing.” The root word employed connotes something that is concealed or veiled from sight. Thoughts are hidden, but actions are seen. We can’t always see the motives beneath the actions. Is this what Solomon had in mind when he penned those words?

Do we as pastors, professors, and administrators encourage those whom we serve to focus more on what we do than why we do it? We often can make decisions that appear to have noble goals; but our motives are less than admirable, and we can have ulterior motives. Do we rationalize the decisions because we believe the end justifies the means?

We as mere mortals evaluate decisions based on results. God evaluates based on motives. And that which gives us (or those for whom we’re looking out) an advantage today may return to haunt us on the day of final judgment.

            “Lord, may everything I do be grounded in selflessness, and for Your glory alone.”