Motives

Today I saw a group of Christians standing on a street corner with megaphones and posters, shouting warnings at passersby, calling them to repentance, promising them a better life in Jesus.

As I drove past, I wondered, what could their motives be?

Then I wondered, what do they think their motives are?

It occurred to me that all motives are subject to man's duplicity. We think we are motivated by one thing, when in truth we are motivated by something else entirely. We say reasons compel us, but reasons are stories. Motives are prime movers.

Is there a motive not subject to self-delusion? The best I could think of was charity, which the Bible says is a pure kind of love. At first I thought this was it—selfless service is the only motive that can't be muddled.

But then I recalled the numerous people I've met who, devoting their lives to serving others and sacrificing their interests on the alter of charity, espouse the Christian tenet as the reason for their actions, while all who know them agree they're motivated by recognition, acceptance, praise, etc.

It is not enough for them to be good, kind, and loving, they need others to see them performing acts considered good, kind, and loving. Selfless service becomes a means to nursing one's insecurities, satisfying one's vanities.

Even charity faileth.

Rather, it's not that charity fails, or that any motive fails for that matter, but that man fails to understand what truly drives him. Even the best of motives is no match for man's guile.