SCRIPTURE: Matthew (NIV) 6:1 “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven… 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.
OBSERVATION: Acts of righteousness are good and kind things which are expected of a person claiming to be a Christian. They are done to please God and/or serve others. When they are done so people will notice, their thank you and compliments will be the only payment one should expect. When they are done quietly and go unnoticed by others, the Heavenly Father takes responsibility for the reward. And He is the GREAT Rewarder!
APPLICATION: When everyone sees me do something kind for another person, or ministry, two things happen: 1, the need of the other is met. And 2, they appreciate me and make me look good.
But when no one knows that I have done something kind for another person, or ministry, three things happen: 1. the need of the other is met. 2, not knowing who to thank, they give thanks and glory to God and make Him look good. And 3, my reward comes from God!
When a church offers a gift for an offering, and a greater gift for a larger offering, they are robbing the givers of rewards from our Heavenly Father. Those “giving” are just settling for a cheap earthly gift when they could have had an eternal blessing from their Heavenly Father!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, you look beyond our gifts; you are always looking at our hearts. May our gifts be expressions of your love. May our “acts of righteousness” give many people reason to appreciate you and give you praise. Amen
Pastor Leon
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