Matthew 6:1-24 TNIV
1 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' in front of others, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
I have noticed more and more, how people like to stand up on their soapboxes. "I did this" and "I did that".
Hello?
Did we miss something here? Unclear on the concept?
When you stand up on your soapbox and flaunt what you've done to help others, that's all you're going to get out of it. Yes, people will oooh and aaah over you. But that's it. That's all you get -- your own worldly self satisfaction.
I don't think I want somebody I don't even know admiring me for an act of charity. Especially something that the Lord has mandated me to do. So whose opinion is most important?
Not somebody down the block.
Not somebody around the corner.
Not somebody on the Internet.
Not somebody at church.
Only the Lord is important. He sees me as I am, inside and out. Good and bad.
In fact, He sees me in a way that I don't see myself. A better way than I think I am.
I am all too aware that I still sin.
But He sees me, all of me, and He thinks I'm worthy to be Saved.
Let me be worthy of His trust in me. And let me trust Him through all the days of my life.
That includes remembering that I'm not supposed to jump up and down, boasting about what little I can do in this world to help others. Let me just help them, like Jesus wants me to. It doesn't matter if anyone else knows what I've done.
HE knows.
What is done in secret receives its own reward, whether the act was good or evil.
It's up to me to make sure it's good.
He knows.
Friday, July 25, 2008
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2 comments:
I too am a Christian, which is not to say 'good' Christian, just a forgiven one and a trier. If you want to visit my blog, it is http://threeswans.blogspot.com I found your site when looking for Christians who like to read. May I suggest a title to try? "Outcasts Of Skagaray" is an action fantasy adventure, written out of concern for the way an unGodly society treats people. For a free preview, there are sample chapters on www.threeswans.com.au and some reviews on line. I would be delighted if you read and enjoyed it, but in any event, I greet you in the Lord.
Thank you! I will certainly check it out, I LOVE to read. I have other blogs where I talk about reading and art and life. www.razzberry-jam.blogspot.com
I am actually working (slowly) on a near future Christian sci-fi novel. And have long had another one in mind, but I need to finish the one I'm working on first.
Welcome and Blessings to you today!
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