How can we ensure our actions align with God's will, not personal gain? Scene at Shiloh: Worship Hijacked “and he would plunge it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or pot, and the priest would claim for himself whatever the fork brought up. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh.” • Eli’s sons grabbed more than God allotted. • They used a sacred office for private appetite. • The text is literal history and a timeless warning: worship can be twisted into self-service. Warning Signs of Self-Centered Service • Taking first, then offering leftovers (Malachi 1:8). • Treating ministry or work as a platform for perks (1 Peter 5:2). • Excusing disobedience with “good” results (1 Samuel 15:22). • Hiding motives behind religious language (Matthew 6:1-2). Heart Checks for Aligning with God’s Will • Motive Scan—Hebrews 4:12: “the word of God… judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” ‑ Hold plans up to Scripture; let it cut away hidden greed. • Glory Test—1 Corinthians 10:31: “whether you eat or drink… do all to the glory of God.” ‑ Ask: does this decision spotlight Him or me? • Audience Shift—Galatians 1:10: “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” ‑ Refuse actions designed merely to impress people. • Obedience First—John 14:15: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” ‑ Love shows up in surrendered obedience, not flashy sacrifice. Practical Steps for Daily Living 1. Begin every task with surrender Romans 12:1: “present your bodies as a living sacrifice.” Offer your workbench, laptop, kitchen—everything. 2. Budget motives, not just money Proverbs 4:23: guard the heart. Before you swipe a card or schedule a meeting, pause: “Is this purchase or plan kingdom-driven or ego-driven?” 3. Practice unseen obedience Matthew 6:3-4: give “so that your left hand does not know what your right hand is doing.” Regularly do good that no one else will notice. 4. Invite accountability Proverbs 27:17: iron sharpens iron. A trusted believer can spot selfish drift faster than we can. 5. Celebrate God’s provision 1 Timothy 6:6: “godliness with contentment is great gain.” Gratitude dulls the lure of grabbing more. New-Covenant Encouragement • Jesus, the High Priest, “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). He models self-giving ministry. • The Spirit produces “self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23), empowering believers to resist selfish impulses. • Eternal reward eclipses temporary profit—Colossians 3:23-24: “It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Summing Up When Scripture guides motives, God’s glory becomes the goal, obedience the method, and service the joy. Hophni and Phinehas teach what to avoid; Christ shows what to pursue. Keep the fork out of the pot—honor the Lord, and personal gain will find its proper, secondary place. |
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