December 14, Motives

Matthew 6:3-4,6,17-18   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……..But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret.  And your Father who sees in secret will reward you……….But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret.   And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.  (ESV)

Promise:  God promises to reward right motives and actions regarding giving, praying and fasting.

Why is it important to know this promise?

God’s character is revealed:  Holy, Righteous, Judge, Just, Father, Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Guide and Sovereign.

Promise provides me with:  guide lines for right living, knowledge that God knows my motives and desires me to be righteous, knowledge that God desires my actions towards others to be genuine and not full of pretense and self promotion, knowledge that God rewards (blesses) those who walk in His ways.

       These verses are from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.  He was instructing the people on how to live righteously without pretense.  Even though others cannot or may not see why you do something, God knows your heart motive.  He know if we are looking to better ourselves or if we are acting out of love for Him.  This time of year many people give to be recognized as the ‘good’ person, generous, humble, righteous or gracious.  God can see into our hearts and knows what is motivating our actions.    Take a look at your attitude and actions and make sure you are giving, helping or thanking others for the right reasons and not just to further yourself.  God rewards the truly humble and selfless giver with blessings beyond what we could ever imagine.

Blessings as you do, give and help others this season!

Linda

Mount of Beatitudes as seen from the Lake of Galilee.  It is a beautiful pastoral setting that must have calmed and rested the crowds as they listened to Jesus teach them how to live rightly.