Motive

You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires.

 -James 4:3

Why?

Because?

Intention?

John bought a car to make his journey easier.

John bought a car to show his poorer friend how superior he was.

...And now we know that similar actions might have different motives. And glory is a powerful force; a drug that uplifts far higher than many others. A drug of potent substance that is a fuel for betrayal, sacrifice, diligence, resilience, and many other attributes displayed in men, both fallen and risen. We have seen men engage in wars out of concern for their loved ones, and we have seen some threaten families in the name of being the superior tribe. Evangelists have mounted podiums for the love of souls, and prophets have sat on thrones to be worshiped with the wealth of their listeners. Yet other prophets have prayed night and day in intercession for the saints. What about they that seek to slander their fellow workers while measuring their success solely by numbers, uncaring of the state of their flocks? Do they not still bring men to Jesus?

17 but the former preach Christ [insincerely] out of selfish ambition [just self-promotion], thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment. 18 What then [does it matter]? So long as in every way, whether in pretense [for self-promotion] or in all honesty [to spread the truth], Christ is being preached; and in this I rejoice.

 -Philippians 1:17-18

...And since we know that God knows all motives, we acknowledge that consequences shall follow actions. Yet will not he who forgave his very murderers forgive those who are already his? As it says, "¹⁰ For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more certain, having been reconciled, that we will be saved [from the consequences of sin] by His life [that is, we will be saved because Christ lives today]. “Yet we are of a greater calling. A call that directs us to submit our heart to his. One that puts him first above ourselves. Because he is wise, fully able to show the best route forward. And he is all powerful, never failing in his strength. So, if it is the Lord's work, then let it be his. If it is the Lord’s child, then let that child's glory be the Lord's. For there is no true glory except that which is God's and from above. We know that we possess glory as children of God, and if so, there is no other we can acquire by our weak efforts that can come close. So, we seek to live fully conformed to his will, knowing that our submission is the expression of a glory no man can give. And if we fail, we rejoice in his abundant grace and forgiveness, relying on his strength and love. For though the righteous fall seven times, he shall rise again (Proverbs 24:16).