TUESDAY March 10, 2020

Do Good to Please God

“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. 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.”
Matthew 6:1-2

Jesus spoke of attitudes. He wanted His disciples to understand and pay close attention to His words. I believe Jesus was very careful in what He taught them. He wanted His followers to learn kingdom living––as a child of God–––the attitudes and characteristics that should be evident in a Christian’s life. His followers were to have transformed lives. God was to receive all the glory for the charitable deeds they carried out.

Jesus addressed the subject of giving. When a believer gave to the Lord, what was their attitude to be? Jesus taught that there was a right and wrong way of giving. He gave the example of self-righteous, hypocritical men who would draw attention to themselves as they gave to the Lord. These types of people wanted everyone to know how spiritual they were in their giving. They would even blow the trumpet––the shofar––in the temple. They desired to receive glory from men––that was their reward. In heaven, they will not receive any reward.

Some people are like this in churches. They love to be seen and patted on the back for their generous giving. When giving to the Lord, believers should never wave their hand-held offerings high to be seen of men. All they want is recognition and to make themselves look super-spiritual. In the kingdom of God, they will lose their reward.

Christians need to examine their hearts when they do good deeds and when they give. Who are they doing it for? Why are they giving? Who is receiving the glory? In serving the Lord, whatever we do is for His honor and glory––period!

Lord, may I not not overlook the privilege of giving to You and Your work for Your glory.
~A.W. Tozer~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!