Read Matthew 6:1-8
Is God Serious About Not Making My Faith Walk All About Myself?
Jesus starts with the word BEWARE.
BEWARE: if you are one who lives out your faith in order to be recognized. When you make your faith all about you getting all the glory and honor and attention, then you receive no reward from your heavenly Father. I like this quote: “We should be seen by others doing the Lord’s work, not doing good works simply to be seen.” One involves humility while the other is all about being arrogant.
Jesus gives two examples where we need to be more aware of our heart and intentions.
1. GIVING ALMS (the giving of food, money, time, services): giving to help others in need should come from a heart that truly cares about others and to be done all for the glory of God and not for yourself.
2. WHEN YOU PRAY: Prayer is a conversation between you and God. Once we make it an opportunity for others to hear and see how “spiritual” we are is the moment we reveal our arrogance along with our selfishness. What captures God’s heart more, the one who yells their prayer to be recognized by others or the person who humbly and quietly approaches the Lord, and with tears says a prayer from his broken and caring heart, for those in need?
Dear Lord, reveal my arrogant heart so that I may serve you and others with true humility!
