"Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
"So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full....
"When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full....
"Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.... [Matthew 6:1-18 NASB]
Attention all attention seekers: it's not about you. The self-righteous need to have their righteousness affirmed by others. After all, you've worked hard to project an image of a holy, righteous and spiritual person. You deserve to be noticed and applauded by others. Right?
After finishing Bible College, I attended exactly one alumni meeting. I was naive enough to think that an alumni gathering was kind of like a reunion. i learned that it is really a fund raising event. The highlight of the event is the dinner, where everyone dresses up and looks their best. After a non-memorable meal, the pitch begins. "The college needs money. Reach deep into your pockets and give." This led to a number of attendees to try to "outbid" each other by standing and proclaiming "My name is Sam Spade, and I pledge $200 a month for the next year." And, "I'm Pastor Hypocrites Pharisee of the Church of the Mega, and I'm pledging $250." Or, "I'm giving a gift of $2000." Followed by "I'm giving $3000." While this was good for the college coffers, it exposed a very sad state of a number of pastors and businessmen who were all alumni of a Bible College, as well as the administrators who organized it.
The best pastors know that giving is a private thing, and if they turn it into a public display, they are depriving people of their heavenly reward.
It is the same with prayer. I remember a church I attended when I was a brand new Christian. There was one man who was consistently asked to give an opening prayer for the service. Oh, the King James that flowed from that man's mouth in a clear rich baritone! The people loved to hear him pray, and he received much praise for his ability. He received his reward.
I've known Christians who love to announce that they are fasting. "I'm on day 3 of my fast!", then "I'm on day 6 of my fast, and I don't even feel hungry anymore. How about you? Are you fasting? How long do you fast?" Whatever spiritual benefit they hope to gain by fasting is lost in their boasting.
Jesus gave us the examples of giving, praying and fasting as good things that become bad for us if done with the wrong motives. Don't think that this is a limited list. The principle applies to any good work done for selfish reasons.
This is especially difficult if you are in a public ministry such as preaching, teaching or singing. It's hard to know another person's motives, although they sometimes make it clear. Some preachers avoid preaching about salvation and righteousness, but carry on about their own life. They somehow manage to bring the subject around to money, and how blessed the members will be if they give more to the private jet fund.
I admire the gift that God has given singers and musicians. I know some very sincere and gifted worship leaders. I am also familiar with some divas and showboaters who always manage to get the spotlight, and soak in the praise. They have their reward.
Don't be like them. Do good works. Whenever possible, don't let anyone know that you are doing them. If you must be seen, then I suggest that you constantly humble yourself before God, and let Him reveal your motives, that they may remain pure, and your reward will be from God.
After finishing Bible College, I attended exactly one alumni meeting. I was naive enough to think that an alumni gathering was kind of like a reunion. i learned that it is really a fund raising event. The highlight of the event is the dinner, where everyone dresses up and looks their best. After a non-memorable meal, the pitch begins. "The college needs money. Reach deep into your pockets and give." This led to a number of attendees to try to "outbid" each other by standing and proclaiming "My name is Sam Spade, and I pledge $200 a month for the next year." And, "I'm Pastor Hypocrites Pharisee of the Church of the Mega, and I'm pledging $250." Or, "I'm giving a gift of $2000." Followed by "I'm giving $3000." While this was good for the college coffers, it exposed a very sad state of a number of pastors and businessmen who were all alumni of a Bible College, as well as the administrators who organized it.
The best pastors know that giving is a private thing, and if they turn it into a public display, they are depriving people of their heavenly reward.
It is the same with prayer. I remember a church I attended when I was a brand new Christian. There was one man who was consistently asked to give an opening prayer for the service. Oh, the King James that flowed from that man's mouth in a clear rich baritone! The people loved to hear him pray, and he received much praise for his ability. He received his reward.
I've known Christians who love to announce that they are fasting. "I'm on day 3 of my fast!", then "I'm on day 6 of my fast, and I don't even feel hungry anymore. How about you? Are you fasting? How long do you fast?" Whatever spiritual benefit they hope to gain by fasting is lost in their boasting.
Jesus gave us the examples of giving, praying and fasting as good things that become bad for us if done with the wrong motives. Don't think that this is a limited list. The principle applies to any good work done for selfish reasons.
This is especially difficult if you are in a public ministry such as preaching, teaching or singing. It's hard to know another person's motives, although they sometimes make it clear. Some preachers avoid preaching about salvation and righteousness, but carry on about their own life. They somehow manage to bring the subject around to money, and how blessed the members will be if they give more to the private jet fund.
I admire the gift that God has given singers and musicians. I know some very sincere and gifted worship leaders. I am also familiar with some divas and showboaters who always manage to get the spotlight, and soak in the praise. They have their reward.
Don't be like them. Do good works. Whenever possible, don't let anyone know that you are doing them. If you must be seen, then I suggest that you constantly humble yourself before God, and let Him reveal your motives, that they may remain pure, and your reward will be from God.
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