The recognition of men

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

It is very difficult for me to do good deeds and not want to receive credit for it.  I long to hear someone say "Wow! You did THAT!  You are incredible! You are SOOOO generous!"  You know what I mean?

But Jesus is quite explicit about this.  He says "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." (Matthew 6:1).  He goes on to mention three particular "acts of righteousness":

• Giving

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full." (Matthew 6:2)

• Praying

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full." (Matthew 6:5)

• Fasting

"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full." (Matthew 6:15)

(As an aside, notice that Jesus says "when you give" and "when you pray" but he also says "when you fast" - he doesn't say "if you fast").

Personally, I crave the "recognition of men".  But the real recognition we must seek is to be honoured by God.  What we should be longing to hear is "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:23).

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you today,

Bruce

Father, there is great temptation to seek the commendation of those around us so that we might be esteemed in the sight of others.  

But there is no honor or reward in this life that compares with the commendation of being tested and approved in Christ.  

Father, You know the very intent of our heart by that which we think and speak and by every action we carry out. 

May we honor You in all that we do in the daily battleground of forming attitudes and making choices.  Amen

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca