I don’t know the way to success, but one sure way to failure is to try to please everybody. -Pastor James E. Woods
“And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.”
Luke 15:11–12
Luke 15:11–12
God desires you to focus on advancing His cause.
Every young student knows of Isaac Newton's famed encounter with a falling apple. Newton discovered and introduced the laws of gravity in the 1600s, which revolutionized astronomical studies. But few know that if it hadn’t been for Edmund Halley, the world might never have learned from Newton. It was Halley who challenged Newton to think through his original notions. Halley corrected Newton's mathematical errors and prepared geometrical figures to support his discoveries. Halley coaxed the hesitant Newton to write his great work, Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy. Halley edited and supervised the publication, and actually financed its printing even though Newton was wealthier and could have easily afforded the printing costs.
Historians call it one of the most selfless examples in the annals of science. Newton began almost immediately to reap the rewards of prominence; Halley received little credit. He did use the principles to predict the orbit and return of the comet that would later bear his name, but only after his death did he receive any acclaim. And because the comet only returns every seventy-six years, the notice is rather infrequent. Halley remained a devoted scientist who didn't care who received the credit as long as the cause was being advanced.
Halley’s life was spent advancing the cause of others and giving of himself so others could succeed. He had his own accomplishments and his own ideas that he could have received glory for, but he chose to focus on others rather than himself.
Someone who was the opposite of Halley was the prodigal son, as our verses today show. He had grown tired of working for his father and wanted to enjoy the pleasures of the world; he wanted to live for his own gratification.
The younger son had a right according to the law to request his portion, but he was thinking only of himself. By law, if his father was being cruel or mean to him he could request his portion and move away. But his motives were not pure; his focus was on his desires.
Think of your actions and motives. Why do you serve? Why do you go soulwinning? Why are you a choir member? Is it so others will see your work and praise you? Or are you thinking of the cause of Christ?
It can become easy to work hard to promote self, but how many of us work hard to promote Christ? How hard do you work the Lord’s work, knowing you may never gain recognition on earth? God desires you to work selflessly to advance His cause, much like Edmund Halley worked to promote Sir Isaac Newton’s discoveries.
Take time now to consider your motives for serving. Are your eyes on your own glorification or on God’s? Make sure that each time you head out the door for soulwinning, sing in the choir, or stand in a Sunday school classroom, your motivation is to see God glorified through your service.
