What Does It Matter?

It’s true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. – Philippians 1:15, 18 (NIV) 

While imprisoned, some people preached Christ to comfort Paul. Others did so mockingly. Paul shrugged it off. It didn’t matter to him why they did it. It only mattered that they were talking about Christ. In his opinion, the motives might be messy, but the outcome was holy. 

Sometimes the right things happen for what we consider to be the wrong reasons. And sometimes there’s a demand for purity or perfection in motivation that would rather have nothing happen if it’s not done for the right reason. But if the outcome is something good, does the motivation matter? 

Giving money to a worthy cause in order to boast, praying aloud so others can praise your eloquence, sitting vigil with a sick person to be seen as selfless. The cause was funded, the prayer was lifted, the person was accompanied—does it matter why? Maybe it’s not so simple. Maybe there’s no such thing as fully pure or impure motivations. And sometimes an outcome happens despite our motivations! It can all get real messy real quick. 

We can’t control or dictate others’ motivations, but we can examine our own and align them with our desired outcome, knowing there’s no guarantee our goodwill intentions will always result in goodwill impact. Yet we also know that even when the motivations are false, God can make the outcomes true, and in that we can rejoice. Maybe that’s what matters. 

Prayer
Whatever the motivation, God, let the outcome be worthy of rejoicing. Amen.

About the Author
Chris Mereschuk (He/Him) is the Director for Legacy and Church Redevelopment for the Southern New England Conference, UCC.