The Carrot & the Horse

Charles Spurgeon told a story how once upon a time in an old kingdom, there was a gardener who grew an enormous carrot in his garden. Now this man loved his sovereign (aka the king) so he came and presented the carrot to the king, saying, "This is the best carrot my garden will ever grow. Receive it as a token of my love." Now the king discerned his heart of love and devotion and saw that he wanted nothing in return. This moved the king and he then gave the gardener far more land than he currently had for his garden, so the man went home rejoicing.
Now a nobleman at court overheard this conversation. He thought to himself, "If that is the response the lord makes to such a small gift, what will he give in response to a great one?” So the next day he brought the king a fine horse, saying, "This is the best horse my stables will ever grow. Receive it as a token of my love." But the King discerned the nobleman's heart, and in response he just received the horse and dismissed the giver. When the king saw the look of confusion on his face, he said, "The gardener's gift was a gift, indeed, out of love, but you are just trying to make a profit. He gave me the carrot, but you gave yourself the horse."

Why do you do the good things that you do? Is it an attempt to appear virtuous? Check yourself. There is a difference in being virtuous and victorious. Live victoriously today!