Today’s Reading: Matthew 6:2-4 (HCSB)
So whenever you give to the poor, don’t sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. I assure you: They’ve got their reward! But when you give to the poor, don’t 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.
Today’s Question: Who do you find easiest to please: yourself, others, or God?
Today’s Commentary:
I admit it. I am a loud-mouth. It is not my intention to be boisterous; but I am. My talking is much like my drumming (I play the drums, in case you don’t know me). My college band director used to say, “Jeremy only has two volume levels: playing and not playing.” When it comes to talking loud, there is a time to use a raised voice and a time to be quiet. Jesus addresses this in the midst of a teaching on the disciple’s motive in the passage we are studying today.
Speaking of musical instruments, the trumpet was a popular instrument for the royalty of the ancient world. When the people heard the trumpet blast, they were to take notice for someone of high position had just arrived. For example, Nebuchadnezzer used the trumpet as one of the instruments used to call people to worship his idolatry. (See Daniel 3:1-7)
As a prelude to His teaching on the authentic practice of a disciple, Jesus warns against fake worship. Those who practice religion for the sake of self-glorification are like people tooting their own horn so that others would recognize their deeds.
Can you imagine the scene? A man walks over to a beggar in the street and uses a bullhorn to announce that he is dropping $1.53 into the blind man’s can. He also uses serious amplification techniques to make sure everyone passing by hears the drop of each coin as it clangs the bottom of the aluminum container. Jesus explains that the “giver” may receive the stares of someone passing by or even the applause of a few onlookers, but that is the extent of his reward. God is in no way impressed.
When we give, we must stop and examine our motive. Martin Lloyd-Jones states, “Ultimately our only reason for pleasing men around us is that we may please ourselves. Our real desire is not to please others as such; we want to please them because we know that, if we do, they will think better of us. In other words, we are pleasing ourselves and are merely concerned about self-gratification.” Phil Newton agrees, “The greatest hindrance in right motives is the desire to please yourself rather than the Lord.”
Why do we do the things we do? What is the motive behind our decisions and our deeds? Do we want to bring attention to ourselves or to God? God is glorified when we are serving virtually unnoticed.
A father once asked his teenage son to go next door and mow the lawn of an elderly woman. The son protested that she could hardly see, should not be up walking around, and would not even notice his good deed. Even though the son was right about all three excuses, he reluctantly spent the next hour of his life behind a push mower. Ten years later, the lady had no recollection of this deed, but the young man never forgot the lesson he learned in the yard next door. Our service has the potential to be so much more than gaining the attention of others.
“Follow One, Lead Others” Principle #27: A follower of Jesus should serve without need for recognition or accolades, as God recognizes and rewards those who humbly serve Him.
Today’s Prayer Point: Ask God to help you examine your heart and motives; as David prayed in Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.” (HCSB)
Shepherding Well 