[Jesus continued:] “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.”
Key Thought
Jesus has been challenging us to a greater righteousness as expressed in our relationship with other people. He is now going to remind us of the key relationship at the center of our being — our relationship with the Father. In many ways, when Paul wrote the “love chapter” (1 Corinthians 13), he mirrored Jesus’ teaching here. Our ministry, our worship, and our lives must have God our Father at the center. They should be motivated out of a love for God. What we do, we do because it is what God would do. Even as we do it, it must convey that love for God. Our acts of worship and kindness are not to impress others but to honor the heart and character of God. If we honor him, we can be sure he will not forget our works and kindness. If we do what we do to be seen by others, that’s all the reward we’re ever going to get.
Today’s Prayer
Father, help me today, and from today forward, to find effective ways to minister to others in a manner brings them closer to your love. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
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