audience of one
June 15, 2009
READ: Matthew 6:1-18
Watch out! Don’t do
your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven (v.1).
As a father of three kids, I am highly interested in their words and actions. Likewise, God is concerned with the behavior of His children. He expects them to do good works in this world (Ephesians 2:10; Matthew 5:16). More than that, He wants them to have the right motivations. That’s why Jesus warned us about wrong and right motives in Matthew 6.
Jesus identified the three great duties of every religion—giving to the poor (vv.1-4), praying to God (vv.5-15), and fasting (vv.16-18). He warned us not to use our relationship with God as a platform to show off how spiritual we are. When we do that, we miss the reward reserved for us.
Jesus did not say that it was wrong to do these things. He was not focused on the how or how often but why. The Pharisees were doing “good deeds publicly, to be admired by others,” seeking self-praise and man’s praise (vv.1,5,16, 23:5). Jesus said, “They have received all the reward they will ever get” (Matthew 6:2,5,16). Paul added, “When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them” (2 Corinthians 10:18). Jesus condemned the Pharisees for such self-gratifying hypocrisy (Matthew 23:13-33).
Our acts of devotion to God are to be carried out simply, sincerely, and secretly. He knows who is authentic and who is a hypocrite (Jeremiah 23:24; Proverbs 15:3). Our unseen “Father, who sees everything, will reward us” (Matthew 6:4,6,18).
As we do good deeds, it boils down to one simple question: Who is my audience? Can it be said of us, “You gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the One who alone is God”? (John 5:44). —K.T. Sim
Why is it hard for us to keep our good deeds a secret? Why will God reward those who do things without seeking the kudos?
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June 15, 2009
READ: Colossians 3:14-25
Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. —Colossians 3:21
Father’s Day is celebrated in many countries worldwide. Although the origins, activities, and actual day of observance differ widely, they all share the common thread of honoring fathers for their role as parents.
This year for Father’s Day, I’ve decided to do something different. Instead of waiting to receive a card or phone call from my children, I’m sending words of appreciation to them and to my wife. After all, without them, I wouldn’t be a dad.
Paul instructed fathers to be a positive part of their children’s development rather than a source of anger and discouragement. He wrote, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged” (Col. 3:21). Both of these verses are embedded in passages about loving and honoring each other in family relationships.
The role of a father changes as children grow, but it doesn’t end. Praise and encouragement are welcomed whether a child is 4 or 40. Prayer is always powerful. And it’s never too soon to mend a broken relationship with a son or daughter.
Fathers, now is a good time to tell your children how much you love and appreciate them. — David C. McCasland
The greatest gift a father can give to his children is himself.
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