Untitled Sermon (7)

Do you like to be noticed?

The truth is that everyone does like to be noticed, some people just more than others. Some people love shining in the light, and others prefer to stay hidden.

The truth of life is though that we do love for what we do to be noticed by others.

We want our good deeds to be noticed

This is why we do things in front of other people more often than not though. Or, maybe even just as simple as telling people about our good deeds.

Matthew 6:1 ESV

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

When Jesus says Righteousness, what do you think he means?

Think about what what Jesus just said right before this

Matthew 5:48 ESV

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

So, Jesus just said to be perfect, and to be perfect you have to complete acts of righteousness.

This is also a direct attach at the Pharisees. They would do all of their good works, or all of the “obedience” that they had and either tell people about it bragging, or they would do it in public so that people would know.

Matthew 6:1 ESV

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew then points out that the rewards that we get here on this earth, the “Oh look how good you are.” Man’s praise that you receive is all that you will get. God will not allow you to get anymore.

Matthew 6:2 ESV

“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

Jesus doubling down here.

Explain the giving situation of giving and how it was done.

The purpose of that was for people to see how you are giving and how much you give to allow you more status and praise from men.

The praise from man is the only reward that they will and have received.

Matthew 6:3–4 ESV

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

First word there

When

This word is important because it means that we should be giving to the needy. That we are called to give.

I believe you can give in multiple different ways. You can give to them directly. Give to various ministries that support passions that the Lord has given you. No matter how you give, you have to give

Matthew 6:3–4 ESV

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

What does Jesus mean by giving so that your left does not know what your right is doing?

Jesus is not saying to be flippant with your money. In fact, the Lord constantly says to be good stewards of our money and gifts

1 Peter 4:10 ESV

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

Gifts in both talents and spiritual gifts, but also in the money and gifts that you have been given with money

in Romans, Paul says

Romans 14:12 ESV

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

We are called to give and to be good stewards, so Jesus is not saying to be flippant, but this brings up the conversation of

Both And

Both and because while Jesus calls us to be good stewards, he calls us to give everything to Him. The story of the woman and her tithe. She gave everything she have. Why? Because she worshipped the Lord by giving everything!! We are also called to be wide open with our giving. Meaning that if Jesus calls us to give everything, we should give everything.

The church has clung to the idea of giving 10%. I grew up that way, but what was Jesus really showing there with the 10%? Jesus was trying to help us form a habit and an awareness that we need to give. That everything that we have is the Lord’s and we are called to give.

Jesus here is dealing with the heart, once again the theme of the message Jesus gave with the sermon on the mount.

Matthew 6:3–4 ESV

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Jesus’ point with this whole passage is that your giving should be between you and the Lord. That your giving should be a heart posture of worship. That giving should be what the Lord commands you to give. If that is 100% then it should be that. If that is 10% then that is what it should be.

If it is to a certain ministry, then that is the case, if you are called to give to the church, then so be it. What the Lord calls you to give, give it.