There are people who accumulate university degrees like stamp collectors accumulate stamps. A pastor once told me (well, he told me many times as we sat in the post-workout steam room) how many advanced degrees there were amongst his congregation.
I don’t think we’ll delve into the impact his congregation had on the life of the community at large.
There are people who dress very nicely. They like to be seen. They like to be seen as leading some church or community organization.
There are people who like to be seen giving large amounts of money to an institution–usually earning a large plaque on the wall or their name on the building. Yet, they continue to live in luxury.
Jesus was watching people in the Temple courtyard one day and remarked to his followers one word of warning–beware.
Mark, recording his story in his Gospel, says As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
God is not looking at our clothes or degrees or gifts out our plenty. God is looking for scars earned from a life of doing justice (Amos 5:24) and being a servant.
Motivation. Why do you do it? To look good, or to do justice? To gain public recognition or to serve God?
Faith Venture 
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