Thursday October 14, 2010

Keep Your Secrets to Yourself!
There are three passages in the book of Matthew (during the famous "Sermon on the Mount" where Jesus utters the same phrase: "Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
They are:
1.) "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. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." - Matthew 6:3-4
2.) "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." - Matthew 6:6
3.) "But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." - Matthew 6:17-18

So, let's simplify that a little. The three things that Jesus wants us to do in secret are:
1.) Give to the needy
2.) Pray
3.) Fast
And what happens if we do? He rewards us! Based on our thought from yesterday, this reward will be Heavenly, rather than earthly. This is part of "storing up treasures in heaven."
So why does Jesus ask us to do these things in secret? Well think about it...He doesn't want us to do things so that we get the glory, he wants us to do things so HE gets the glory! If we give to the needy and then go around telling everyone what a good person we are for helping others, we are getting the glory. If we are praying in public and people are looking at us thinking, "Wow, she prays really well!" then we are getting the glory. If we are fasting, and we go around bragging about it, or go around complaining about how hungry we are, then we are getting the glory. No one should get glory except God! That's why He tells us to do these things in secret.
Read through Matthew chapter 6 today, to put this whole thing into perspective.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word. Only you deserve to get the glory, because there is no other god besides you. We often like to get attention and recognition for the things we do, forgive us Lord. Help us to do things that bring you glory, and help us to humble ourselves before you. You are so awesome, powerful and holy. We love you, amen.

Lots of love,
Aubrey <><