Rewards (continued)

Matthew 6:2-4

² “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 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. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:2%20-%204&version=NIV)

This is a continuation of the last blog where we looked at Matthew 6:1.  There are people in this world who have a lot of money and they give a lot away.  We hear about them on the news, we see beautiful schools they have built, we hear about them feeding a multitude of hungry people, we even see them build big houses for people because those people did something good for someone else.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with this type of giving.  It is wonderful that others are being helped by someone who has been blessed with much.  However, whenever we give we need to examine ourselves and our motives.  Are we doing it for praise from others or are we doing it because we love our Father in Heaven so much that we want to spread His love to others?  Jesus is very clear that we need to be sure that it is not for the attention of others, not for recognition, but solely for the Lord.

Our town has “Citizen of the Year” where they recognize someone who has given much to the community.  Each year they have nominations for this award and they find people who have done amazing things for others.  I would say that each person that has received that award has received a just reward from the community.  Some of them may also receive rewards in Heaven for things we never saw them do here on earth.  When you begin to think that you wish that someone would recognize what you have done, remember your Father in Heaven does see what you have done and what you have yet to do.  When you think that no one appreciates you, remember your Heavenly Father does and your reward awaits you.  When we begin to seek recognition on this earth we need to reexamine our motives and remember that we are not doing good deeds for ourselves but because it is the will of the Father.

Maybe you are one that has not been one to give to others.  Maybe you think you have nothing to give.  I have found that some of the most generous people are those who have little but do great things with what they have.  They are the first to volunteer to help, they are the first to see where a need is and try to provide.  Those are the people who have a just reward waiting for them in Heaven.  Remember, Jesus doesn’t say “if” you give He says “when” you give.  Ask Him to help you find ways that you can give that will bring glory to Him.

As you seek Him today, ask Him to bring a need to mind for you to fulfill and do it for His glory not yours.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila