Matthew 6:1 "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.
Up to this text, the Lord has been denouncing the false teachings and interpretations of Scripture which had led people to refrain from sinning with their fists while their hearts remained completely impure within. Now he goes on from their teaching to denounce their life as well. He attacks their good works, and He refuses to concede that they have anything good either in their teaching or in their works.
What did Jesus want the Christian not to do? Answer
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. .
Are these two laws of Jesus contradictory? ?
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Why or why not? Answer So what is Jesus main point in Matthew 6, verse one? Answer
Here Jesus lays the principle. Now he goes on to applications of the principle. Let's look at the applications -
GIVING
Matthew 6:2-4
2 "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. 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.
Once again, in this text, Jesus seems to be contradicting other points of Scriptures-
Isaiah 58:6-7 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
In describing Cornelius: Acts 10:2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
1 John 3:17-19 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence
Why is Jesus denouncing the Pharisees for doing the good works which God commands?Answer
How was Randy's request against what Jesus said?Answer Was it right for the pastor to ask him why he wanted the plaque put up?Answer Would it have been OK if the Elders or Trustees suggested to have the plaque put up? Answer
Gratitude
It is good to recognize gifts however. Paul was very thankful for gifts- 2 Corinthians 8:2-4 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
2 Corinthians 9:13 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
Was Betty justified in quitting?Answer Was her work acceptable to God?Answer
1 Thessalonians 2:6 6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. How could the situation have been avoided? Answer
Luther's Works: Volume 21: You may say, "I would be happy to take my heart out of my body and give it to him. But since I see that this kindness would be wasted on him, and that he is such a thankless fellow, so that all of my toil and trouble would be in vain, he can go to hell before I give him anything". Look there the scoundrel is already peeking out! Your real motive for giving is to have people worship and celebrate you and honor you as a god. We can see this now in the case of some of our bigwigs. They can rage and stir up a fuss if they do not continually hear expressions of gratitude and other things they want to hear.
A strong Christian contributes freely what he wants to contribute, just the way God grants His gifts every day. A heart is truly single in its motivation if it neither seeks nor desires nor looks at anything except the will of God and the glory of God.
In short, whoever wants to be a Christian must make up his mind neither to undertake nor to discontinue any good work on the basis of what other people think, but only as a means of serving God through his office or station. It is impossible for a pious man to be adequately rewarded here even for the very smallest work that he does; even being crowned with gold and receiving an entire kingdom would not be enough.
REWARD
Proverbs 19:17 He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.
Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 6:10 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
Isaiah 58:8-9, 11 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. 11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun_scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well_watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.
Luke 14:13-14 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
2 Corinthians 9:6 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
List 9 rewards that we get from giving freely:
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Matthew 6:2 "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. What is a hypocrites' reward? Answer
Whose is better? Answer