Kingdom Motivation

Is there a right way to shoot a three-pointer in basketball? Have basketball ready. You need to get the basketball in the hoop. Does it really matter how it goes in? That depends. It ideally needs to go through the rim on the correct side of the court so the opposing team doesn’t receive three points. Generally, there needs to be a good arc on the ball, otherwise it will never make it through the hoop. It’s not quite good enough to do the right thing, you want to do the right thing in the right way. There is a wrong way to shoot a three pointer.

How about paying with a credit card in a store? with some cards you can tap-to-pay, but not all stores support that way of paying. Some stores and phones support tapping, not with the card, but with the phone, but that isn’t 100% either. Still other times you insert you card into the reader…but don’t pull it out to soon, leave it in too long, or insert it upside down…or backwards. It’s not enough to bring your credit or debit card with you, you have to use it correctly. You have to do the right thing in the right way. There’s a wrong way of doing the right thing. Jesus tells us something similar in Matthew 6. Do the right thing, or be perfect and mature as your Heavenly father is perfect, but part of following in the footsteps of Jesus is doing the right thing in the right way. When you live in the kingdom, there’s a wrong way and a right way to do the right thing.

Matthew 6:1–18 ESV

1 “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. 2 “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. 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. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when 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. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Your reward matches your motivation. God sees all, even what motivates you.

The Expositor’s Greek Testament, Volume I (Matthew–John): Commentary Chapter 6: The Sermon Continued

Show when tempted to hide, hide when tempted to show

Principle: Be motivated by pleasing God, not to pleased by man.

Example 1: Give alms to the poor to Emulate God, not to be Esteemed by man.

Example 2: Pray to be seen by the Father who Provides, not to Popular with people.

“God gets the Glory. I get to glorify God.” -PBJ

Example 3: Fast to Commune with God, not to be Commended by men.

The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary First, Disciples Must Impress God Alone

disciples must impress God alone

Matthew 3. Religious Duties (6:1–18)

The disciple’s character is to be modeled on the Father’s character, and the disciple’s performance is to be done for the Father’s approval