Chrism

Is motivation a sin? If a person does not have any motivation, he cannot get forward in life. Saint Paul says: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” (Phil. 3:13). Saint Paul’s reaching forward is a form of spiritual motivation, regardless of what has happened in the past. 

Our spiritual motivation should come first, but we should also be motivated in everything that our hand touches. Motivation should be about ourself, and not about being better than others in competition. Sometimes our motivation stems from envy or jealousy of others. “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (James 3:16). 

Instead of being motivated to be better than others in envy and selfish ambitions, let us strive to do everything for the glory of God, and not for men. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Col. 3:23-24). When we realize we are serving God in our daily work, we find motivation to perform and to do well. Wealth, status and pleasing of people might be a big motivator, but pleasing our Lord God is beyond any satisfaction we might get from earthly praise. 

If we are motivated to grow spiritually first and foremost, then we will also grow in our lives on this earth.