A.W. Tozer said, “It is not what we do that determines whether our work is sacred or secular, but why we do it.”

Motivation is everything in God’s sight. He judges the quality of our deeds based on the motives of our hearts.

“Now it was so, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner was strengthening his hold on the house of Saul.

“And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ishbosheth said to Abner, ‘Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?’

“Then Abner became very angry at the words of Ishbosheth, and said, ‘Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show loyalty to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman? May God do so to Abner, and more also, if I do not do for David as the Lord has sworn to him—to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.’ And he could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.

“Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to David, saying, ‘Whose is the land?’ saying also, ‘Make your covenant with me, and indeed my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel to you,'” (2 Samuel 3:6-12, NKJV).

What were Abner’s motives for serving the house of Saul?

In all his service to Ishbosheth, he was strengthening his hold on the house of Saul. Abner was taking care of Abner. And once he saw he was on the losing side, Abner began to barter for a position of power on the winning side. Unfortunately for Abner, he was treading on the turf of someone just as shrewd and ambitious as he—Joab.

What motivates your quest for promotion and power? Could your drive become your own undoing?