Secret Righteousness
Today I had the opportunity to bless someone I had never met. I loved it. Oh the joy the Father gives when our lives reflect His. But I noticed that when I walked away I immediately ran to tweet what had just happened. As I was typing a passage in scripture came to mind. The passage was Matthew 6:1-4.
1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, (OR TWEETS, haha) as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
I immediately heard the Holy Spirit speak in to my heart. You see, while twitter may not have been “announcing something with trumpets” I do believe we often try and gain honor or respect from others in the Christian community based on our deeds. Does it honor our Father? You see I want to do deeds that honor the most high God, not deeds that bring about my own honor, or my own status. It would be easy for me to say “But I want people to see what we can do when you really trust God.” But did you notice the screwed up part about that thought? It revolves around what we can do rather than what God is doing. I fear that we allow pride to sneak into our lives in the form of “Christian deeds.” I pray that we continue to help those in need, clothe those who are naked, and feed those who are hungry. But I also pray we do these things in a way that God glorifies.
At Hope we say Loving God, Loving People, Proving It. I hope that no one ever hears the “proving it” part as something that is to be proven to man. You see the proving it part is dedicated to you and the Father. Does this mean that others will not notice? NO! Other’s will notice a persons life that is in line with the Fathers. But I pray we never seek first the honor or approval of men before that of God. ”so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Yes! Great post friend! I love it. And something my heart definitely struggles with!
Excellent insight. Thanks so much for sharing.