Matthew 6:1-4-“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.
But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
In our everyday life we are confronted by people who let you know all of the things they accomplish in their life.
There are business who have big signs hanging in their stores with all their charitable donations displayed for all the world to see.
Then other companies will have the advertisements and they will make mention of their charitable acts.
Then you have actors and actresses who will have their charitable cause, and of course have their film crew documenting their charitable deeds.
If we are not careful, we can be caught up in the trap of bragging or boasting about our achievements for the Lord.
How much we give, how much we pray, how many times we read the bible, or how many chapters we read a day, how many good works we do and the list goes on.
We can get to concerned about what people think about us, and not enough concerned about what God thinks about us.
There is nothing wrong in doing good deeds, even if people have selfish motives in doing them, at lest good deeds are getting done.
But for the Christian, God wants more than that for us.
Because doing good deeds is a reward unto it’s self. (When you do something good for other, you feel good about yourself) but God wants you to receive something extra for charitable deeds.
But we have to do the right things the right way!!
God is more interested in quality, than quantity!
“Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theatre, but the God who made you won't be applauding.” Matthew 6:1 (MSG)
God looks at the motive before the action, the action might be great, and the action might benefit others, but what about the one doing the charitable act, if all they get is a pat on the back, or a little recognitions.
The praise of people soon fade away, but God never forgets even the smallest of deeds done on His behalf.
Matthew 25:33-40-And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
So how do we balance the difference between doing things for show and doing things to be seen!
Matthew 5:16-Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
We are suppose to be the salt and the light, a lot of things we do as a Christian is outward…Go to Church, Be Baptized, Partake of the Lord’s Supper, Pray, Tithe, Read Scripture.
So how do we do all of this to been seen and not doing it to be noticed?
I believe it all boils down to who am I doing all this for?
Am I doing it to glorify God, or am I doing it to glorify me?
Do Not Sound A Trumpet-In other words…Don’t toot your own horn!
Important men used to have heralds to announce their greatness.
They Have Their Reward-Jesus isn’t saying that seeking a reward for what we do is bad, but He is saying, that seeking the wrong reward is foolish!
If you care too much about what people think of you, you’d probably be disappointed to discover how seldom they do!
Do Not Let Your Left Hand Know What Your Right Hand Is Doing
With one hand they giving in secret and with the other hand they are waving, drawing attention to themselves.
Have you ever seen someone who is getting applause, with one hand they are motioning for the crowd to stop and with the other hand they are motioning the crowd to continue.
A song by Greg Ferguson called Audience of One.
It’s such a strong temptation to live for man’s applause
But I don’t want to buy into the lie
‘Cause I know that’s not a worthy cause
So to keep things in perspective, I hung a sign up on the wall
The sign is nothing special, but it really says it all
And the sign says
I’ll be content to serve an audience of One
Only His approval counts when all is said and done
And this is my prayer, when the race is finally run
I want to hear “Well done”
From the audience of One
When the drive for recognition starts to get the best of me
All I’ve got to do is look around at the people serving selflessly
And they don’t serve for glory, and they’re not keeping score
There’s a sign that’s written on their hearts
A sign I’ve seen before
I’ll be content to serve an audience of One
Only His approval counts when all is said and done
And this is my prayer, when the race is finally run
I want to hear “Well done”
From the audience of One
In the not-too-distant future
When the crowds all fade away
I’ll stand alone before my Lord
And this is what I long to say
I’m overjoyed to serve an audience of One
It’s what I’ve been created for ever since day one
And this is my song, as I bow before Your throne
I love to hear “Well Done”
From the audience of One
