January 8, 2022
What does it say?
Jesus taught His listeners to pray and do good works privately, avoiding public exhibitions. He instructed them to seek God first and trust Him to meet every need.
What does it mean?
Jesus reminded His audience to check their motives, adjust their priorities, and trust God. His followers should adjust their priorities to honor God rather than seek praise through self-promotion. It’s human nature to try to impress other people by publicly displaying good deeds, but even good things are hypocritical when done from wrong motives. Believers should value what endures for eternity. God sees all that is done, is aware of every need, and is trustworthy to reward those who live to honor Him. A believer’s priority is to please God rather than to be seen and praised by others.
How should I respond?
What are you doing in order to make yourself look good to others? It’s exhausting and frustrating when your purpose is to fulfill the expectations of friends and family or to impress other Christians. The practice of your faith is between you and God primarily, not you and others. You honor God when you live before Him, an audience of one, and do works that further the cause of Christ privately, when possible. Trusting and honoring God takes precedence over promoting yourself. What will you do today to honor God? He will give you lasting treasure when your first goal is His glory.