“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people
in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father
who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before
you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may
be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But
when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand
is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in
secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:1–4, ESV)
As we move into chapter 6 we move into a series of
statements from Jesus about sincerity of heart and purpose where He speaks in
numerous ways of not doing things for the rewards and recognition here but for
those that come in eternity. In verses 1-4 Jesus speaks a warning to those who
purposely “practice” their righteous acts in such a way that they will be seen and
applauded by others. He gives the example of those who make a public display of
their giving with trumpet flair or an admiring entourage who praises them for
their goodness to others. He calls them hypocrites because they do it for the
show and for their own glory and not necessarily for the benefit of others.
Today’s leading news story shines as an example of the
emptiness of this kind of living. A prominent and wealthy public individual had
his private thoughts and words exposed to the world this week. This individual
is one who had acted friendly and given considerable funds over a long period
to the very group he privately spoke against. But his private words did not
remain that way, and the public response to this private revelation was quick,
loud, and firm. Yet even this response was not universal, for I even heard a
willingness to forgive him by others should he be willing to make a significant
financial contribution. I do not know him, and I do not know those who said
they would back off if he continued to make financial contributions, and I must
be careful in making any firm determination. I cannot imagine this individual
making these comments in a public forum, but he made them and they became
public exposing him for the actor he appears to be.
But this individual is not alone, though maybe more extreme
or more exposed, I know there have been times in my life when I have acted one
way and thought another hoping my thoughts would not be exposed. I know that my
motives have not always been pure, and I think it is pretty safe to say that
this is true for all of us.
Jesus said to beware of doing things for the public
applause, knowing that what really matters is what will last for eternity. This
does not mean that we disconnect from this world, but it means when we connect
we do so in such a way that people might see our good works and glorify our
Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). It is Him who knows fully the motives
of our hearts, and it is Him who will judge those who are His for their works.
This judgment is separate from the judgment that those who have not trusted
Christ for their salvation will be subject. In this later judgment their guilt
has already been determined, and the only answer to avoid eternal guilt is
belief in His Son in this life and calling upon Him for salvation.
The Bible does speak of a judgment for believers in which
their works are considered by God. Paul wrote, “So whether we are at home or
away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the
judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he
has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Corinthians 5:9–10, ESV) Here
he is speaking only to believers for it is believers whose objective is to
please God and who recognize that their real home is eternity in His presence.
It is we who trust Christ who are told that we will stand before our Lord at
the “judgment seat of Christ” to receive what is due for what we have done in
His body—the church including good and evil.
Later in chapter 6 of Matthew Jesus tells us, “but lay up
for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and
where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your
heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:20–21, ESV) Notice the link He makes between
our treasure and our hearts. Those who do things for the recognition they
receive in this world will receive all of the reward they will ever get here
and now. But in God’s Word we learn that there is so much more—a more that has its
blessings here and now but which has its greatest blessing handed to us by our
Lord Himself when we appear before Him.
As I said, I do not know this particular individual in the
news today. At this time there is likely a lot of turmoil in his life, and I
don’t know what the outcome of that turmoil might be. My prayer is that he will
hear his own words, repent of them, and look to our God who can turn the
darkest of dark into the brightest of bright. Our God can take that which was
repugnant and change its fragrance. It is my prayer that the odor of his life
might change and that people might give praise to God as a result. Similarly,
as I examine my own heart and my own motives at times I realize there are
things which I did for what I would get here. But at the same time, I also know
that because of what God has done in my heart there are things that will last
and bring eternal reward. I know this because of His Word for myself just as I
have that same confidence for all who call on His name and submit themselves to
His incredible work in their lives.
“For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is
laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold,
silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become
manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire,
and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that
anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If
anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be
saved, but only as through fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:11–15, ESV)
A hypocrite is an actor. Jesus says don’t be like the actors
who get their applause while they are standing on the stage.
No comments:
Post a Comment