“Don’t lose your Reward”
A key principle in everyone’s life; “you will reap what you sow.” I believe in this principle so deeply I could teach it as a law compared to gravity. Just as it is said “what goes up must come down.” Every man, woman and child will reap what they sow.
In the Kingdom of God unlike the ways of this world not only will you reap what you sow. God also looks at why and how you sow it. What is the motivation of your action? Many times in the world people do good for personal gain. But in the Kingdom of God we are told to do EVERYTHING in love, for the glory of God our Father.
In today’s scripture reading Jesus begins with a powerful word of warning. As children of God we are promised treasures in heaven, rewards for our good work. These treasures and rewards are not only given by what we do but why we do them. My friends your rewards in heaven are connected to your willingness to walk in humility.
Matthew 6:1-4
“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Do you believe that through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, “IT IS FINISHED”? Do you believe, if you seek the Kingdom of God first and live righteously, God will give you what you need? Do you believe every good and perfect gift comes from God? Do you believe everything you are and everything you have is from God? If you answered yes, (which I hope you did), you are willing to give and serve joyfully and abundantly. Jesus taught us, it is better to give than receive and freely you have received freely give.
In today’s scripture Jesus is teaching what is referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. Thousands of people were there listening, religious leaders, followers of Christ and many people just seeking and listening. Here in verses 1-4 Jesus is giving a warning to all people. The first warning, doing good works will not earn you salvation. The second warning is “don’t do good works or give so that you receive the attention of others.” The religious type made a show out of the things they would do. They were not giving to glorify God or to truly help others but so that others would see them.
An interesting fact concerning this scripture, In verse three we read, “don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” Jesus was telling us that our giving should even be a secret to ourselves. People would carry money in their right pocket, Jesus was instructing them to give like this. Reach in, grab a handful and give, don’t worry about how much by allowing the left hand to count it, just give. Honestly many of us carry change in our right pockets and when we give we take the time to count or even pull out a small coin to give. Jesus is telling us watch out, don’t lose your reward because of pride, doubt or fear. Trust that God our faithful Father will reward you!
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