"Be careful! When you do good things, don't do those things in front of people. Don't do those things for people to see you. If you do that, then you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. - Matthew 6:1 (ERV)
THOUGHT:
Jesus has been challenging us to a greater righteousness as expressed in our relationship with other people. He is now going to remind us of the key relationship at the center of our being -- our relationship with the Father. In many ways, Paul mirrored Jesus' teaching here when he wrote 1 Corinthians 13.
Our ministry, our worship, and our lives must have God our Father at the center. They should be motivated out of a love for God. What we do, we do because it is what God would do. Even as we do it, it must convey that love. Our acts of worship and kindness are not to impress others, but to honor the heart and character of God. If we honor him, we can be sure he will not forget our works and kindness. If we do what we do to be seen by others, that's all the reward we're ever going to get.
PRAYER:
Father, help me today, and from today forward, to find effective ways to minister to others in ways that bring them closer to your love. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Scriptures:
Matt. 5:20
"For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. "
Matt. 5: 15,16
"Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. "
Heb. 6:10
" God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. "
