Motive: Matt. 19:16-21

 Adam and Eve:  Desire for Knowledge: The serpent tempts Eve by suggesting the fruit will make her "like God, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:5). This implies a desire for greater knowledge and understanding, perhaps a yearning for wisdom equal to God's.

• Appeal of the Fruit: The text also describes the fruit as "good for food, pleasing to the eye, and desirable for gaining wisdom" (Genesis 3:6). This suggests Eve may have been tempted by the sensory appeal of the fruit itself, not just the promise of knowledge.

• Curiosity: The serpent's questioning of God's command might have sparked curiosity in Eve. Perhaps she questioned why the fruit was forbidden and wanted to understand the reason behind the rule.

• Temptation of Power: The serpent's words could be interpreted as offering Eve a kind of independence from God. By gaining knowledge of good and evil, she might have been tempted by the idea of setting her own standards and not relying on God's commands.

Judas

• Greed: This is the most prominent motive presented in the Gospels. Matthew's Gospel specifies Judas receiving 30 pieces of silver for betraying Jesus, highlighting a financial motive (Matthew 26:15).

• Disillusionment: Some interpretations suggest Judas may have been disappointed by Jesus' teachings. He might have expected Jesus to be a political leader who would overthrow Roman rule, but Jesus focused on a spiritual message. This disillusionment could have led Judas to betray Jesus in an attempt to force his hand (a theory lacking scriptural basis).

• Fulfilling Prophecy: A less common view suggests Judas believed he was fulfilling a necessary role in God's plan for Jesus' sacrifice. However, there's little scriptural support for Judas acting as a willing pawn.

• Satanic Influence: The Gospel of John suggests Satan entered Judas, influencing his actions (John 13:27). This explanation places the blame on external forces.

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  The rich young ruler's motives in Matthew 19:16-22 are a topic of debate among Bible scholars. Here are some possible interpretations:

• Genuine Desire for Eternal Life: The passage suggests the ruler approached Jesus with a sincere question about how to inherit eternal life. He might have been genuinely interested in following God's will.

• Following the Law for Salvation: The ruler mentions keeping the commandments, suggesting he believed following religious laws was the key to eternal life (v. 16). His question might be to confirm his understanding.

• Testing Jesus: Some interpretations suggest the ruler might have been trying to test Jesus' knowledge of the Law or see if he followed it himself. Perhaps he doubted Jesus' authority.

• Seeking Validation: The ruler readily claims to have followed the commandments (v. 20). This could indicate a desire for validation from Jesus, wanting to be acknowledged for his good deeds.

• Unwillingness to Sacrifice: Jesus' response challenges the ruler to give up his possessions and follow him. The ruler's sadness upon leaving suggests he was attached to his wealth and unwilling to make that sacrifice for his faith (v. 22). This could be his primary motive.

The Engine of Action: Understanding Motives

A motive is the underlying reason someone does something. It's the internal drive that pushes us to take action. Think of it as the engine that propels us towards a goal or desired outcome. Motives can be simple or complex, conscious or unconscious, but they are ultimately what fuels our behavior.

Here are four examples of motives in action:

1. The Hungry Athlete: Let's say a young athlete trains intensely every day. Their motive could be the desire to win competitions (achievement motive). The hunger for victory drives them to push their limits and endure grueling workouts.

2. The Bookworm's Curiosity: A student spends hours lost in a captivating novel. Their motive might be the pure enjoyment of learning and exploring new worlds (intrinsic motive). The pleasure of the story itself fuels their desire to keep reading.

3. The Fearful Public Speaker: Imagine someone experiencing anxiety before a presentation. Their motive could be a fear of public judgment or failure (avoidance motive). The desire to escape negative emotions drives them to feel nervous or stressed.

4. The Supportive Friend: A friend offers help to someone going through a difficult time. Their motive could be empathy and a desire to alleviate their friend's suffering (prosocial motive). The urge to help others motivates them to offer their support.