Matthew 6:1-6,16-18
Beware of practicing your righteousness beforeother people in order to be seen by them. – Matthew 6:1a
Click to read passage
We all enjoy being appreciated. A word of encouragement or recognition can strengthen and motivate us. But Jesus warns us that there is a subtle danger in the spiritual life: doing the right things for the wrong reasons.
In today’s passage, Jesus speaks about three important spiritual disciplines—giving, praying, and fasting. These are good and God-honouring practices. Yet Jesus is not primarily concerned with what we do, but why we do it.
The religious leaders of His day loved to be seen. They gave generously where others could notice. They prayed in prominent places. They fasted with gloomy faces so everyone would admire their spirituality. Their reward was the applause of people. Jesus says, “”They have received their reward. (vv. 2,5,16)””
If our goal is human admiration, then that admiration is all we will ever receive. There is no further reward from the Father because we have already collected the reward we were seeking.
The issue here is not public worship. Jesus Himself prayed publicly, taught publicly, and called His disciples to let their light shine before others (Matthew 5:16). The difference lies in the audience we seek to please.
Our good works should cause people to glorify God, not us. (Matthew 5:16b) Jesus repeatedly says, “”Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”” Those words should comfort and encourage us. Our heavenly Father notices the unseen acts of faithfulness that nobody else applauds:
• the quiet prayer before the family wakes up,
• the anonymous gift given to someone in need,
• the unseen sacrifice made out of love,
• the private tears shed in intercession,
• the fasting that no one else knows about.
The world we are in measures significance by visibility. God measures faithfulness by our devotion for him. We live in a culture that constantly encourages us to build an image, gain followers, and seek approval. Even spiritual activities can quietly become opportunities for self-promotion. It is possible to post every act of service, talk about every sacrifice, or subtly hope that others notice how committed we are. Jesus gently redirects our hearts. The only approval that ultimately matters is the Father’s.
The Pharisees wanted everyone to see them, but they failed to see God. Jesus, on the other hand, came without seeking earthly glory. As Isaiah foretold, there was “”nothing in his appearance that we should desire him”” (Isaiah 53:2). He came clothed not in religious performance but in grace and truth. Though He deserved all glory, He humbled Himself to serve and ultimately gave His life for us. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect that same humility. The kingdom of God has only one name that deserves the spotlight: Jesus.
Reflection:
Take a few moments to examine your heart before the Lord.
• Do I spend more time praying in public than I do praying in private?
• When I serve, do I secretly hope others will notice or praise me?
• Am I disappointed when my efforts go unrecognised?
• Do I seek God’s approval more than people’s approval?
• If no one ever knew about my acts of generosity, service, or sacrifice, would I still gladly do them?
The spiritual disciplines of giving, praying, and fasting are not stages upon which we perform. They are means of grace that draw us closer to our Father. May we learn to live before an audience of One.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the God who sees what is done in secret. You know our hearts and our motives better than we know ourselves. Forgive us for seeking the praise of people more than Your approval. Cleanse us from pride and the desire to be noticed in our giving, praying, serving, and worship. Teach us to delight in Your presence and to seek only Your pleasure. Give us hearts of humility, integrity and obedience like Jesus. May our lives point others to Christ and bring glory to Your name alone. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Click to read passage
We all enjoy being appreciated. A word of encouragement or recognition can strengthen and motivate us. But Jesus warns us that there is a subtle danger in the spiritual life: doing the right things for the wrong reasons.
In today’s passage, Jesus speaks about three important spiritual disciplines—giving, praying, and fasting. These are good and God-honouring practices. Yet Jesus is not primarily concerned with what we do, but why we do it.
The religious leaders of His day loved to be seen. They gave generously where others could notice. They prayed in prominent places. They fasted with gloomy faces so everyone would admire their spirituality. Their reward was the applause of people. Jesus says, “”They have received their reward. (vv. 2,5,16)””
If our goal is human admiration, then that admiration is all we will ever receive. There is no further reward from the Father because we have already collected the reward we were seeking.
The issue here is not public worship. Jesus Himself prayed publicly, taught publicly, and called His disciples to let their light shine before others (Matthew 5:16). The difference lies in the audience we seek to please.
Our good works should cause people to glorify God, not us. (Matthew 5:16b) Jesus repeatedly says, “”Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”” Those words should comfort and encourage us. Our heavenly Father notices the unseen acts of faithfulness that nobody else applauds:
• the quiet prayer before the family wakes up,
• the anonymous gift given to someone in need,
• the unseen sacrifice made out of love,
• the private tears shed in intercession,
• the fasting that no one else knows about.
The world we are in measures significance by visibility. God measures faithfulness by our devotion for him. We live in a culture that constantly encourages us to build an image, gain followers, and seek approval. Even spiritual activities can quietly become opportunities for self-promotion. It is possible to post every act of service, talk about every sacrifice, or subtly hope that others notice how committed we are. Jesus gently redirects our hearts. The only approval that ultimately matters is the Father’s.
The Pharisees wanted everyone to see them, but they failed to see God. Jesus, on the other hand, came without seeking earthly glory. As Isaiah foretold, there was “”nothing in his appearance that we should desire him”” (Isaiah 53:2). He came clothed not in religious performance but in grace and truth. Though He deserved all glory, He humbled Himself to serve and ultimately gave His life for us. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect that same humility. The kingdom of God has only one name that deserves the spotlight: Jesus.
Reflection:
Take a few moments to examine your heart before the Lord.
• Do I spend more time praying in public than I do praying in private?
• When I serve, do I secretly hope others will notice or praise me?
• Am I disappointed when my efforts go unrecognised?
• Do I seek God’s approval more than people’s approval?
• If no one ever knew about my acts of generosity, service, or sacrifice, would I still gladly do them?
The spiritual disciplines of giving, praying, and fasting are not stages upon which we perform. They are means of grace that draw us closer to our Father. May we learn to live before an audience of One.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the God who sees what is done in secret. You know our hearts and our motives better than we know ourselves. Forgive us for seeking the praise of people more than Your approval. Cleanse us from pride and the desire to be noticed in our giving, praying, serving, and worship. Teach us to delight in Your presence and to seek only Your pleasure. Give us hearts of humility, integrity and obedience like Jesus. May our lives point others to Christ and bring glory to Your name alone. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.