Why do we as Christians serve God? While we do not need to understand our motives in order to serve God, the more we are aware of them, the better we will be able to serve God as He deserves. Though motivations are often hard to discern, it is clear from the Bible that Christians can serve from either worthy or unworthy motives.                                                                                                                                                                               

Unbiblical motivations involve trying to serve God to work off guilt. This false guilt motivation ignores God’s promise of complete forgiveness to all who confess their sins (I John 1:9). Others think they can earn salvation or keep it by legalistically serving God. However, this is contrary to the grace of God throughout the entire salvation process (Ephesians 2:8-9). Finally, there are some who serve the Lord to obtain position, power, or financial gain which Paul and John warned us about (2 Corinthians 4:2-5).

In contrast, below are 5 biblical motivations for serving the Lord in possibly ascending order. The first motive is duty and arises out of a commitment someone makes or out of an obligation someone feels (Luke 17:7-10). It is the least honoring motive to serve the Lord, but it is still redemptive.                                                                                                                                                                                   

A second legitimate motivation in serving God is to obtain rewards, both in this life (Mark 10:28-31) and in eternity (Matthew 16:27). God made us to be driven by rewards, so if we use them to glorify God, then they become legitimate. At the judgment seat of Christ, we will receive our rewards and crowns (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10-12). Matthew tells us that whoever gives one of these little ones a cup of cold water to drink, he shall not lose his reward (Matthew 10:41-42). One of the crowns that believers can receive is for all who have loved Christ’s appearing (2 Timothy 4:8). Every reward or crown received is from the Lord and because of His grace.                                                                                                                                                                               

Making an eternal difference can be a third incentive for serving the Lord. Many people either play it safe or strive for success in business or sports or a lavish lifestyle. However, we were made for so much more. God’s purpose in creating us was not for the temporal things of this world that will fade away, but to focus on the things that matter most, which are the eternal things like your relationship with Christ, the Word of God, and the souls of men and women, especially those you have introduced to Christ. Matthew 6:20-21 exhorts us to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”                                                                                                                                                                                        

A fourth, more honorable motive for serving is gratitude out of a heart that responds to all the spiritual and material blessings that God has given us. Our ministry becomes a “Thank You” to the Lord. We are motivated to offer our bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2) and to strive to live for Christ.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

The final and probably the most Biblical motive for serving the Lord is love. This includes first a love for God and then a love for others in fulfillment of Matthew 22:37-39) Our love for God is often demonstrated by keeping His commandments (John 14:21) including loving other people (I John 5:2) It is wise to evaluate our motives for serving the Lord. Why do you serve the Lord?