“Do Not Sound A Trumpet Before You”
“Beware
of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then
you have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
“So
whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do
in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others.
Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do
not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms
may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
“And
whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and
pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by
others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you
pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in
secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
“When
you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they
think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them,
for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Matthew 6:1-8
“And
whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure
their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they
have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash
your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father
who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Matthew 6:16-18
Typically,
as we age we lose our prominence and our positions of influence. Even those of
us who have never sought the limelight seem increasingly to fade into the
shadows. Obscurity and anonymity are good, however, for it is difficult to
perform in public without wondering what impression we are making on others. We
worry about our reputations. And that is our problem. To the degree that we
seek human approval, we forfeit God’s approval. On the other hand, to lose the
admiration of men and woman may turn us to seek God’s approval only.
Think
about it. Do you offer your prayers and fast in private, or do you make a big
deal out of them? Your Father will reward you. Do you not need human rewards.
There is no reward from God to those who seek it from
men.
Our Daily Bread –