we are evaluating our motives in what we do. proverbs 24.11 (tev), GOD knows and judges your motives. HE keeps watch on you; HE knows. and HE will reward you according to what you do.
GOD says that our reward is based on not just what we do, but why we do it.
in matthew 6, JESUS gives three examples, three good things you can do, but you can also do them in the wrong way.
verse 2 (niv), so when you give to the needy do not announce it with trumpets as the hypocrites do in the synagogue and on the streets to be honored by men. i tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
HE says when you give, you shouldn't give in order to be seen by other people.
verse 5 (niv), and when you pray do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. i tell you they have received their reward in full.
have you ever heard anybody pray to the galleries, pray to other people? they pray a real flowery prayer, and when they're finished you want to say, "wow!" and you feel like clapping. GOD says, they have their reward. they don't have a pure heart.
verses 16-18 (niv), when you fast you do not go around looking as the hypocrite with a sad face so someone will ask if you are fasting. but… put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting…
so what is the point of all these things? JESUS is saying, the point of pure in heart is you keep it a secret when you do good. if you can't, maybe your motives are mixed. maybe you want the praise of men more than you want the praise of GOD. the test of pure in heart is can i keep it a secret? or do i have to blab every time? if you spent a night in prayer, could you keep that a secret? don't be a hypocrite he says three times.
just a thought from the front porch…
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