I Was just Thinking Why some 'Wakil Rakyat' Donate a Large Sum of Money for a Charity

“I know, my God, that you examine our hearts
and rejoice when you find integrity there.
You know I have done all this with good motives” (1 Chronicles 29:17, NLT)

“When you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.
Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you”
(Matthew 6:3-4).

Think of some reasons why someone might donate a large sum of money to a cause. For example, try to think of what are the possibilities why some Wakil Rakyat (People’s Representative, PR) in your area promised to donate a large sum of money, let says millions of Ringgit, to a charity or a project. Why? Some of my thoughts are 1) the PR might do it because of pressures or complaints from the people; 2) PR might do it simply because of sheer responsibility or out of duty or due to the law; 3) PR might do it to win political favor; 4) PR might do it out of deep compassion for the people.

Whatever reasons might be – could be one of the above or mix of many other reasons – it all boils down to this: what are the motives? The same act can be set in motion by very different motives. When Lord Jesus says, “When you give to someone in need… Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you” He as if saying that God is interested in your motives and in your behavior. For example, when a PR gives donation for a charity out of his responsibility and deep compassion for the people in needs, you will find that he is not only doing it near Election’s day but even during any other day. The truth is: Good motives produce good behavior or actions.

On the other hand, vise versa: selfish and sinful motives eventually (eventually!) produce selfish and sinful behavior. We all (not just leaders) might be tempted to find excuse for doing almost anything for the cause, but God looks behind the excuses to the motives of the heart. Jesus said, “Your Father, who sees everything, will reward you”. “Everything” here simply mean everything; heart, mind and soul. God sees everything! Thus, we ought to always check our motives before we act. Ask ourselves, “Since God sees everything, would God be pleased with my real reasons for doing this?” “Would I still be willing to do this if I knew everyone would find out?”

Our motives definitely will make a difference in our choice of actions. Our motives in a long run either build or break trust and respect from others who see and know us personally. Our motives, especially, matter to God. Proverbs 20:27 says, “The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive”. Honestly, that is scary! Well, scary for those who have selfish and sinful motives of course!

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.