EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!
WEDNESDAY JUNE 19, 2024.
SUBJECT : PLAY NOT TO THE GALLERY!
Memory verse: "But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.” (Matthew 23 vs 5.)
READ: Matthew 6 vs 1 - 6:
6:1: Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
6:2: Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
6:3: But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
6:4: that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
6:5: And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Assuredly I say to you, they have their reward.
6:6: But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
INTIMATION:
Playing to the gallery is trying to impress the general public. God is personal, and relates with us on personal grounds, not on public opinion about us. God is interested in the motives of our actions; what is the cause or the purpose for our actions. The act might be right but the motive wrong, and when the motive is wrong, don’t expect any response from God.
We see such incidents in fund raising activities in our churches or meetings. Many of the members, in want of public acclaim, will come out to announce their donations. The action of donating in support of church activities is good, but their motive of wanting public acclaim by members is wrong. Some people are very much interested in personal recognition and acknowledgement given to them. And that is pride which God detests greatly.
Many people do good acts for appearance and recognition by the crowd, not really out of devotion. And the fallout of such in our churches are numerous incidents of unredeemed pledges and donations. Jesus used the word “Hypocrites,” to describe such people who do good acts for appearances only—not out of compassion or other good motives. Their actions may be good, but their motives are hollow. These empty acts are their only reward, but God will reward those who are sincere in their faith.
It is obvious that when we do something well, we want to tell others and be recognized. But recognition is tempting—it can lead to inflated pride. How much better it is to seek the praise of God rather than the praise of people. Then, when we receive praise, we will be free to give God the credit. What should you change about the way you live in order to receive God’s commendation?
When we pray, when we fast, and when we give, the Bible says that we must be pure in our motives. If we do what we do for the sake of being seen by others, then being seen by others is our only reward. If, however, we do what we do in obedience to God, then God will reward us. If you have given tithes and offerings and have not been blessed, this may be the reason for it.
In the passage we read today, Jesus again exposed the hypocritical attitudes of the religious leaders. They knew the Scriptures but did not live by them. They don’t care about being holy—just looking holy in order to receive people’s admiration and praise. Today, like the Pharisees, many people say they follow Jesus, but they don’t live by His standards of love. We must make sure that our actions match our beliefs.
When Jesus says not to let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, He is teaching that our motives for giving to God and others must be pure. It is easy to give with mixed motives, such as, giving or doing something for someone because it will benefit you in return. So many believers hide under the cloak of the Scripture such as: “A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men” (Proverbs 18 vs 16), to give for personal gains, expecting some favor in return. But believers should avoid all scheming and give for the pleasure of giving and as a response to God’s love.
God only rewards such gifts that are devotionally motivated, not those that are with attachments of returns or favor. The Bible is explicit on this when it said, “He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD; and He will pay back what he has given.” (Proverbs 19 vs 17.) Jesus said, “And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the thankful and evil.” (Luke 6 vs 34 - 35.)
It’s easier to do what’s right when we gain recognition and praise. To be sure our motives are not selfish, we should do our good deeds quietly and/or in secret, with no thought of reward. Jesus says we should check our motives in three areas: generosity, prayer, and fasting. Those acts should not be self-centered but God-centered, done not to make us look good but to make God look good. The reward God promises is not material, and it is never given to those who seek it. Doing something only for ourselves is not a loving sacrifice. With your next good deed, ask, “Would I still do this if no one would ever know I did it?”
Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of love and selflessness, that I will put You first and others next in my motives of doing good, and that love will permeate all I do, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.
PRAISE THE LORD!
