Reward is not given only to those who simply give things up, but rather to those who give things up for the sake of Christ and for love of the Gospel. Sacrifice for the sake of sacrifice—or for that matter, sacrifice for a selfish reason—is worth nothing in God’s eyes. Sacrifice has value only when it is done for the sake of Christ and his Gospel, for love. It is our gift to God. Our intention in self-denial must be to glorify Christ or to witness to the Gospel message.
Is this the real motivation of my self-denial?
Lord, help me to have a pure intention in my acts of self-denial.
Smitten With Goodness 