--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If your actions are motivated by selfish…" description: "\"If your actions are motivated by selfish interests rather than God, you are mortgaging tomorrow's joy.\" — T. B. Joshua" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4eb/t-b-joshua-2272_action_if-your-actions-are-motivated-by-selfish_70588.png" --- # If your actions are motivated by selfish interests rather… ![“If your actions are motivated by selfish interests rather than God, you are mortgaging tomorrow's joy.” quote by T. B. Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4eb/t-b-joshua-2272_action_if-your-actions-are-motivated-by-selfish_70588.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4eb/t-b-joshua-2272_action_if-your-actions-are-motivated-by-selfish_70588.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4eb/t-b-joshua-2272_action_if-your-actions-are-motivated-by-selfish_70588.png) > “If your actions are motivated by selfish interests rather than God, you are mortgaging tomorrow's joy.” [T. B. Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-b-joshua/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Prioritizing self‑interest over spiritual values compromises future happiness, as short‑term gains are built on a foundation that neglects deeper purpose. **In simple terms:** Self‑interest undermines lasting joy. Key Takeaway Choose purpose over profit. Themes spirituality ethics future orientation self‑interest happiness Mood thoughtful cautionary Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - making career decisions - choosing personal relationships - allocating resources - pursuing ambitions - evaluating priorities Key Concepts mortgage metaphor motivation joy God Practical Applications - ethical decision‑making - personal development coaching Questions to Reflect On - What values guide your long‑term goals? - How does your motivation affect your sense of fulfillment? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Selfish interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish-interest/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) [Tomorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tomorrow/) ## Related quotes > [Advertising is the place where the selfish interests of the manufacturer coincide with the interests of society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ogilvy/advertising-is-the-place-where-the-selfish-interests-of-the/) [David Ogilvy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ogilvy/) > [The marketplace obliges men, whether they will or not, in pursuing their own selfish interests, to connect the general good with their own individual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/the-marketplace-obliges-men-whether-they-will-or-not-in-pursuing/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [How soon the labor of men would make a paradise of the earth were it not for misgovernment and a diversion of his energies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/how-soon-the-labor-of-men-would-make-a-paradise-of-the-earth-were-it/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [You have endless energy only when you are working for the good of the whole - you have to stop working for your little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/you-have-endless-energy-only-when-you-are-working-for-the-good-of-the/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) > [Our Savior gave Himself in unselfish service. He taught that each of us should follow Him by denying ourselves of selfish interests in order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallin-h-oaks/our-savior-gave-himself-in-unselfish-service-he-taught-that-each-of/) [Dallin H. Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallin-h-oaks/) > [“All human actions are motivated at their deepest level by one of two emotions—fear or love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/all-human-actions-are-motivated-at-their-deepest-level-by-one-of-two/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [When your actions are motivated by love, you expend least effort and your energy multiplies, allowing you to create anything you want, with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/when-your-actions-are-motivated-by-love-you-expend-least-effort-and/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [We can most easily fulfill our desires when our actions are motivated by love. We expand the least effort, and we offer no resistance.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/we-can-most-easily-fulfill-our-desires-when-our-actions-are-motivated/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Today, our actions must be motivated only by our intense desire to achieve a just and lasting peace. The compassion and charity of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-rahall/today-our-actions-must-be-motivated-only-by-our-intense-desire-to/) [Nick Rahall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-rahall/) > [It is because God is infinitely great and good that his glory is the end of all things; and his good pleasure the highest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-hodge/it-is-because-god-is-infinitely-great-and-good-that-his-glory-is-the/) [Charles Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-hodge/) > [“What really interests me is whether God had any choice in the creation of the world.” ALBERT EINSTEIN”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/what-really-interests-me-is-whether-god-had-any-choice-in-the/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [What interests me most is whether God could have made the world differently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/what-interests-me-most-is-whether-god-could-have-made-the-world/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [ \[W\]isdom consists in following Providence step by step. And you can be sure of the truth of a maxim which seems paradoxical, namely, that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/w-isdom-consists-in-following-providence-step-by-step-and-you-can-be/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [I think God’s hope and plan for us is pretty simple to figure out. For those who resonate with formulas, here it is: add…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/i-think-god-s-hope-and-plan-for-us-is-pretty-simple-to-figure-out-for/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [Sanctification costs to the extent of "an intense narrowing of all our interests on earth and an immense broadening of all our interests in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/sanctification-costs-to-the-extent-of-an-intense-narrowing-of-all-our/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) ## More by T. B. Joshua > [Hard times may test me, they cannot destroy me,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-b-joshua/hard-times-may-test-me-they-cannot-destroy-me/) [T. B. Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-b-joshua/) > [If we make mistakes, as we all do - don't run from God, run to Him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-b-joshua/if-we-make-mistakes-as-we-all-do-don-t-run-from-god-run-to-him/) [T. B. Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-b-joshua/) > [Of all graces, faith honours Christ the most; of all graces, Christ honours faith the most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-b-joshua/of-all-graces-faith-honours-christ-the-most-of-all-graces-christ/) [T. B. Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-b-joshua/) > [Read the Bible for the salvation of your soul, not the solution to your problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-b-joshua/read-the-bible-for-the-salvation-of-your-soul-not-the-solution-to/) [T. B. Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-b-joshua/) > [When you are wired to God in a unique way, nothing can separate you from the love of God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-b-joshua/when-you-are-wired-to-god-in-a-unique-way-nothing-can-separate-you/) [T. B. Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-b-joshua/) > [Jesus Christ said, 'I pray your faith will not fail.' This means your faith will be tested. What is testing your faith right now?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-b-joshua/jesus-christ-said-i-pray-your-faith-will-not-fail-this-means-your/) [T. B. Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-b-joshua/) > [We only have victory over satan when we walk in the Spirit in Christ Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-b-joshua/we-only-have-victory-over-satan-when-we-walk-in-the-spirit-in-christ/) [T. B. Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-b-joshua/) > [The power that flows from His name, the name Jesus, will be in proportion to our love for His Word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-b-joshua/the-power-that-flows-from-his-name-the-name-jesus-will-be-in/) [T. B. Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-b-joshua/) > [Be patient. Let God answer your question on His schedule, not yours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-b-joshua/be-patient-let-god-answer-your-question-on-his-schedule-not-yours/) [T. B. Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-b-joshua/) > [A beggar always remains a beggar. Africa, stop begging - you have what it takes to solve your problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-b-joshua/a-beggar-always-remains-a-beggar-africa-stop-begging-you-have-what-it/) [T. B. Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-b-joshua/) > [The way and manner God executes His plan in our lives differs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-b-joshua/the-way-and-manner-god-executes-his-plan-in-our-lives-differs/) [T. B. Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-b-joshua/) > [It is not possible to heal people and collect money. That gift is not for sale. When it is time to heal, it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-b-joshua/it-is-not-possible-to-heal-people-and-collect-money-that-gift-is-not/) [T. B. Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-b-joshua/) > [Weeping must not hinder worship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-b-joshua/weeping-must-not-hinder-worship/) [T. B. Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-b-joshua/) > [If you turn to God once, He will turn to you a million times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-b-joshua/if-you-turn-to-god-once-he-will-turn-to-you-a-million-times/) [T. B. Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-b-joshua/) > [You are who you are by virtue of the company you keep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-b-joshua/you-are-who-you-are-by-virtue-of-the-company-you-keep/) [T. B. Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-b-joshua/) [Explore all 175 T. B. Joshua quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-b-joshua/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If your actions are motivated by selfish interests rather than God, you are mortgaging tomorrow's joy.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "T. B. Joshua" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-b-joshua/if-your-actions-are-motivated-by-selfish-interests-rather-than-god/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Action" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-b-joshua/if-your-actions-are-motivated-by-selfish-interests-rather-than-god/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4eb/t-b-joshua-2272_action_if-your-actions-are-motivated-by-selfish_70588.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4eb/t-b-joshua-2272_action_if-your-actions-are-motivated-by-selfish_70588.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4eb/t-b-joshua-2272_action_if-your-actions-are-motivated-by-selfish_70588.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If your actions are motivated by selfish interests rather than God, you are mortgaging tomorrow's joy.” — T. B. Joshua", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "T. B. Joshua", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-b-joshua/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If your actions are motivated by...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-b-joshua/if-your-actions-are-motivated-by-selfish-interests-rather-than-god/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-b-joshua/if-your-actions-are-motivated-by-selfish-interests-rather-than-god/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```