I remember as a child, I loved an audience. I loved to sing, and as my Mom called it “show out.” I was always singing but I would get even louder and longer when I had someone to listen. Thankfully, I have grown up and realized I have an audience of “one,” God, and pleasing Him is all that matters. Reading the beginning of Matthew chapter 6 made me even more aware of that today.
Matthew 6:1-4 “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise, ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”
These verses challenge us to make sure that the good we do is not done for self-gratification. The word alms in verse 1, is referring to giving liberally to those who are poor and needy. We are not to give so that others will know what we have done. We are to give from an inward desire to show Christ’s love to others. We are to give to please God, to honor Him, because of our deep love for Him. In Galatians 2:10, we are commanded to help the poor. In Luke 19:8, Zacchaeus has just met the Lord Jesus. He has been watching Jesus when Jesus beckons him to come to Him. After Zacchaeus meets Jesus, he proclaims he will give half of his goods to the poor and repay those he has extorted money from with four times the amount he cheated them out of. Was this done to be seen of men? I think not. We know about this because Jesus told us. Jesus was giving us an example of the heart attitude we should have toward our worldly goods, not as an opportunity for Zacchaeus to boast.
Galatians 2:10 “Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.”
Luke 19:8 “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”
In Matthew 6:4, Jesus tells us that what is done in secret God will reveal in public. When the time is right, that our actions will bring glory to God, He will reveal them. Everything we do should bring glory to Him.
I Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Our prayers also should be done in private. If we are praying in public, we need to take a moment to remind ourselves we are talking to God and God alone. It is not done for a public display of how well we can say words to impress others. We are not to use vain repetitions, just reciting words that sound pretty. Words that have been memorized or taught as a certain way to pray. We are to find a private place and pour our hearts out to God. When we pray in a way that God sees fit to answer in a positive way, He will reveal it openly. It is to Him and He decides how it will be used.
Matthew 6:5-7 “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.”
Jesus gives us the prayer that He rewards in Luke 18:11-13. The Pharisee wanted everyone to hear him and to see him. His prayer was totally for self-gratification, and from a heart of pride. However, the publican, a man who did not feel worthy to even lift his eyes to Heaven, stood away from everyone, beating his chest, and asking God to forgive him a sinner. Jesus declares the publican justified, not the proud Pharisee.
Luke 18:11-14 “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
As a Christian, this gives me much to think about. I am to examine my motives and my actions. No one can know my motives but me and God. However, we need to be careful that we are not deceiving ourselves and enjoying the accolades of others, for the good that we do.
