The Right Reasons
“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.” (Matthew 6:1)
Our daily Bible readings have recently taken us through Matthew 6. There are several sections of this chapter in which Jesus addresses those who were simply doing things for the wrong reasons. Verse 1 indicates that even if we are doing the right things, if we are doing them for the wrong reasons, there may be no reward from our Heavenly Father.
In chapter 6, Jesus gives two situations where this may be an issue: giving to the needy and fasting. Both of them, as described by Jesus, could be done as an outward show in order to be seen by others and get accolades or pats on the back. There is no genuine concern for the needy. There was no genuineness of the fasting. Both are used to gain favor with others. It seems that Paul was accused of this in some way. He states in Galatians 1:10, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” This brings out a needful contrast — if your goals are to receive the approval of men, it will be very hard if not impossible to be a true servant of Christ.
Jesus didn’t suddenly start this discourse that is recorded in chapter 6 of Matthew. In chapter 5, starting with the beatitudes, He is correcting errors of theology but also errors of attitude. From lust to anger to loving your enemies, He challenges them to not just deal with outward appearances and sin, but to fix that which is deep down in a person’s heart. If one corrects the heart and attitude, then they can undertake righteous actions with righteous motivations.
“But when you give to the needy, do not 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.” (Matthew 6:3-4) We don’t need to be seen doing things. We don’t need recognition from anyone but God Himself, and He sees everything.
Let’s do the right things for the right reasons, laying up treasure in heaven, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”