"All for you and for Your Glory."
Today's Readings: Genesis 18-19 & Matthew 6:1-18
Key Verses: Matthew 6:1
This is one of my favorite parts of the BIble, and I also think it is at times greatly misunderstood. "Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven."
But does God really want us to do things in secret?
I have heard it said this is what the verse is saying. That we are to be like the C.I.A of good deeds. I don't think that's true however. If one reads the verse closely, you will see it says "Don't do your deeds to be admired by others Later on in verse, when talking about giving it says "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others."
The focus here is not on doing things in secret. The focus is on the why behind your acts. What is the driving force behind your deeds? Are they to bring praise to you, or glory to God?
and then in verse 6:9 Jesus teaches us to pray...and it starts like this
"Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven."
and if you look at this prayer, and how it starts, there's the point. The prayer is focused fully upon God as should be our lives. Our lives are to be given for the glory of the one who created everything so when people see what we do, God will get the glory.
"Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." Jesus says in Matthew 5:16.
The Point: Righteousness should not be done for public recognition but as a service to God.
So stop sneaking around and being a "covert Christian." It's not wrong if someone knows you did something Godly...just make sure the praise goes in the right direction.
P.S. Keep up with the Old Testament Readings. I will something to say about them tomorrow.
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