It's Not About Us
We like to be noticed and appreciated.
What is righteousness? It is contrasted with wickedness. It is just. We cannot attain this on our own, because God is holy. His standard is too high.
Matthew 6:1-4 NLT
[1] “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. [2] When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. [3] But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. [4] Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Don't make acts of righteousness about yourself. Who are you wanting to get the praise? You? Or God?
Jesus does not say "if" you:
- give
- pray
- fast
He says "when". We are expected to do these things as followers of Christ.
We are to be genuine givers
In life, we often become more weary and selective in our giving because we have been burned in the past.
- "I earned this"
- "I can't trust anyone, so I'll just keep this for myself"
As followers of Jesus, we are givers.
In the sermon on the Mount, Jesus is calling out our motives.
Beware of self-promotion. Don't give to promote yourself.
We were never meant to take center stage
Matthew 6:2 NLT
[2] When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.
Jesus is pointing out the ridiculousness of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Don't pretend to be something you're not.
Approval addiction
"I know I'm supposed to be humble, but what if no one notices?" - pastor (can't remember the name)
How to know if you have this addiction:
- hurt by others opinion of you
- nagging sense that you're not important enough
- jealous of others' success
- you feel unrecognized
- have trouble saying no to things you don't want to do
- apologizing all the time
- hide things you think others may judge
- keep quiet because you don't want to risk saying anything wrong
- emotional reaction to likes and comments on social media
We must not be more concerned with what the hand is doing than what the heart is thinking
Matthew 6:3-4 NLT
[3] But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. [4] Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
What is the right way to give?
- let one hand give in secret from the other
Do not pat yourself on the back when you give.
3 ways we can give:
- Seeking the praise of men
- Quiet, but praising ourselves
- giving for the glory of God
Be careful though, this can quickly become legalistic. It's not about giving so no one sees us as much as it is about giving with the right motivation.
I need to shrink the opinions of others in my life, while amplifying who Christ says I am
James 4:6 NLT
[6] And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
If you need to announce your greatness, you might not be so great.
Colossians 3:1-2 NLT
[1] Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. [2] Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
Pride must dies in you if anything of heaven will live in you.
1 Corinthians 4:3-5 NLT
[3] As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. [4] My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. [5] So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.
In the verse above, Paul is being judged by those in the church. It does not bother him. Jesus is his priority. God's opinion matters most.
Galatians 1:10 NLT
[10] Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
John 12:42-43 NLT
[42] Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. [43] For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.
"they loved human praise more than praise from God"
To combat this, we must stop trying to build up our own identity. We may rest in the identity that God gives us.
Our reward is a life of freedom in Christ
We often live as prisoners of others' approval.
Self-centeredness never gives birth to life, only Jesus leads to life.
Our lives do matter. Because God is always with us, noticing every moment.
Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.
— Alexander Pope
This was my daily quote today in Obsidian. Coincidence...? It is the same message as the sermon.