Don’t Be a Hypocrite
MATTHEW 6:1-24
(January 7)
Something that really bothers me is a "fake" person, someone who pretends to be humble but is really only seeking the spotlight. They do good for others, but for the wrong reasons.
We are called by God to do good works, not for the sake of applause or blowing trumpets, but for the sake of those in need. When a person seeks attention for their acts of charity, their heart is not in the right place. The applause and attention they receive will be ALL the reward they get. Because God will not honor their works.
It is the same for praying. Some people want to pray out loud because they want to use the big, fluffy words that speak eloquence into our ears. But what are those words speaking into our hearts? This, too, is done for the sake of attention and recognition instead of earnestly from the heart.
The best prayers we can pray are the ones we do in secret when it is just between us and God. I do my best praying all alone in my car, just me and God having a conversation. I have no need for anyone else to hear. I have a friend who is terrified of praying in public. She thinks she will "mess up" the prayer. I have heard this said many times. I always remind them that there is no right or wrong way to pray, just have a sincere conversation with God and tell him what is on your heart.
In Matthew, we are even given an example of a simple prayer to God:
"Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don't let us yield to temptation but rescue us from the evil one." (Vs 9-13)
When we pray that, or any prayer, asking forgiveness, we have to remember that those who seek forgiveness from God must be willing to give it to those who hurt them. If you can't forgive others, God will not forgive you. Why should we think it would be okay to ask for something we aren't willing to give?
The same goes for the fasting that accompanies prayer. You don't have to let everyone know you are fasting. Just do it in secret. Your Father will know, and he will reward you.
As for all the treasures we store up for ourselves, there is a saying an old pastor friend of mine used to say, "You don't see a hearse with a U-haul on the back." What he was trying to say is that we can't take the treasures of this earth with us to heaven, so why store them up? Instead, concentrate on storing up your treasures IN heaven so that you can enjoy eternity ... such treasures as the kindness you show others, the good works you do ... those will have lasting reward if you do them in humility.
We can get caught up in those worldly treasures, caring about money and the things money can buy. That is idolatry at its finest. You cannot serve both riches and God. You must choose who you will serve. One gets you eternity with God, the other gets you riches on earth and much suffering in death.
These are things we should always be cautious of. They can creep up on us without much warning. By being watchful, we can keep ourselves humble and focused on God, instead of being hypocrites, saying it is for God when it is really for our own glory.