Matthew 6:1-4

After challenging His disciples about loving their enemies, He questions a person’s motivation for doing good things. Ephesians 2:10 reminds Christians that they have been given a relationship with God so they might do good works. Although works do not earn the right for salvation, they are proof that a person is trusting in the substitutionary death of Christ. Faith in Jesus Christ always leads to good works. God expects us to show kindness toward others; however, the religious people of Jesus’ day were only interested in doing charitable deeds so others could see them. The scribes and Pharisees were not motivated to do good because of their love for God, but so their peers would think they were spiritual. Jesus gives a very strong commandment to His disciples telling them to abstain from doing charitable things only for the recognition of others (v.1). The illustration used here is that of a person placing money into the offering (alms). The so called religious people were making a spectacle out of giving money to God and made sure that everyone was watching as they gave. Although the illustration is specific, the application is broad. How many times do you do good just to be recognized? Do you sing so others will think you are an amazing Christian? Are you involved in ministry only to be disappointed when nobody recognizes your effort? Do you give money to your church and discuss with others what you’ve given? Jesus despises those whose motivation is to be seen. The followers of Christ are expected to be different…when they do something good, careful measures should be taken to assure it is in secret. If a disciple is only motivated to please God, Jesus promises a reward (v.4) because God is the giver of all good gifts (James 1:17). Commit today to good works for the sole purpose of bringing recognition to God, not yourself.