I am preaching on the last section of Matt 6 to morrow, so I promise I am going to give it more time. Right now, I'm gonna keep it short.
I was struck by a command to obey, that is also a verse worth memorizing. "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' in front of others, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your father in heaven." This first verse prepared me for the whole chapter, which talks about praying, giving and fasting just to be seen by others. I know we often do thing so others perceive us as generous or successful. Celeberties use charities as photo opportunities. But in the church, we are supposed to do things, not to gain the praise of others, but for our father.
I can't help but think of all the good the church does, and can't help but wonder if we ruin it for God and ourselves when we brag about it, make a parade out of it, and send a press release to the paper. Just thinking out loud on this one.
Lord, where does my heart lie? Whose opinion is most important to me? May the only glory I seek, be yours. Amen.
Is there a verse to memorize? I love verse 34; "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." That verse always strikes me as if Jesus might have smiled when He said it...kind of tongue in cheek. It reminds me to concern myself with now, and let the future take care of itself.
ReplyDeleteThat is where I am preaching from, and I think you are right. I hate how they put those sub titles in the Bible. The one for that section in my bible is "Do Not Worry." I do not think Jesus intended for us to never worry, but for us to worry about stuff that matters now, not stuuf that is silly, or stuff that hasn't happened yet.
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