Visit a park
and you’ll often hear, “watch me, Mom.” Even as children we seek the audience of those around
us. It’s human nature to seek the
attention and approval of others. That
is not a bad thing, it’s just a fact.
In the
scripture we are looking at today, Jesus is addressing a crowd in his Sermon on
the Mount. In this particular passage
Jesus advises the people on the mountainside, and us today, to be careful not
to practice our righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If our motivation to practice righteousness is
to be seen by others then we receive our reward then in full - nothing
significant.
What do you
mean “practice our righteousness?” Jesus
lists giving to the needy, praying and fasting, as
examples of practicing our righteousness. When we do these things we are to do them
secretly to show our heavenly Father that He alone is our target audience.
When we
honor God in this way we store up treasures for ourselves in heaven where they
cannot be
destroyed or stolen. This is a wonderful
opportunity. First strengthen my
one-on-one relationship
with my Father by honoring Him with my resources and store up treasures for
myself for eternity. I’m in!
Prayer: God, let my actions honor you and know that my
prayers are for your attention. Help me
be focused solely on you when I am practicing my righteousness. Amen.
Aimee
Greening
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