Man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart.
In today’s promotion driven culture where popularity and worth are measured in the fickle currency of likes, shares and retweets, we are increasingly motived to do things for show and to win the endorsement and approval of others.
But the Bible cautions against doing things to impress others and for the sake of keeping up appearances.
Jesus taught in Matthew 6 on some of the everyday activities where we could easily fall prey to operating with ulterior motives and from an impure heart. They look a lot like the manner in which it is popular to do things today.
Charity – Matthew 6:1-4 (The Passion Translation TPT)
“Examine your motives to make sure you’re not showing off when you do your good deeds, only to be admired by others; otherwise, you will lose the reward of your heavenly Father. So when you give to the poor, don’t announce it and make a show of it just to be seen by people, like the hypocrites in the streets and in the marketplace. They’ve already received their reward! But when you demonstrate generosity, do it with pure motives and without drawing attention to yourself. Give secretly and your Father, who sees all you do, will reward you openly.”
Prayer – Matthew 6:5-6 (The Passion Translation TPT)
“Whenever you pray, be sincere and not like the pretenders who love the attention they receive while praying before others in the meetings and on street corners. Believe me, they’ve already received in full their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your innermost chamber and be alone with Father God, praying to him in secret. And your Father, who sees all you do, will reward you openly.”
Fasting – Matthew 6:16-18 (The Passion Translation TPT)
“When you fast, don’t look like those who pretend to be spiritual. They want everyone to know they’re fasting, so they appear in public looking miserable, gloomy, and disheveled. Believe me, they’ve already received their reward in full. When you fast, don’t let it be obvious, but instead, wash your face nd groom yourself and realize that your Father in the secret place is the one who is watching all that you do in secret and will continue to reward you openly.”
Treasures/Wealth – Matthew 6:19-21 (The Passion Translation TPT)
“Don’t keep hoarding for yourselves earthly treasures that can be stolen by thieves. Material wealth eventually rusts, decays, and loses its value.[q] Instead, stockpile heavenly treasures[r] for yourselves that cannot be stolen and will never rust, decay, or lose their value. For your heart will always pursue what you value as your treasure.”[s]
God’s promise to his Chayil army of ordinary believers is that as we serve the Glory of God, His glory serves us. Just as it did with Jesus over 2000 years ago who diligently observed and followed the ways of God against popular traditions. “… and Jesus grew in wisdom, in stature and in favor with God and all the people (Luke 2:52 New Living Translation). God is the one who gives us real promotion, power, favour, honour, influence and wealth. Let’s align with God’s way for God’s eternal glory.
Tune in to CHAYIL Conversations with Pat Francis on Facebook Live, Tuesdays at 7pm EST for powerful and interactive discussions that feature real stories of solutions and hope. #ChayilConversations
About CHAYIL GLORY
CHAYIL glory is the all-powerful, great glory of God manifested in and through his believers in the earth. The CHAYIL GLORY blog is published every Monday with insights to understand and apply God’s perspective to everyday life.
