A good heart is important

What is your agenda when you do good to someone? Is it to help them with their wellbeing? Or perhaps is it an enticement to receive a favor? A bribe? What is your real agenda? When we do good what is our agenda? I need to do a "heart check". Saul had his heart checked by God, and it did not look good.

1 Samuel 13:14, But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”

Saul focused on the doing so that people could see and acknowledge him. But God is watching the heart. It is difficult to see the heart unless you spend personal time with the person. Saul was very concerned about how he looked with the people.

1 Samuel 13:8, Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.

The people were leaving. Saul was losing his honor and authority. He needed Samuel. To establish his authority he performed the sacrifice himself to show that he could do what Samuel did. This was poor judgment.

Father, my heart needs to be right as I serve the people. Help guard my heart.

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