TID #160 Living and Giving for God’s Eyes Only

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TID #160 Living and Giving for God’s Eyes Only

What’s up TRC and Friends! Today we take a look at Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 6:1-4 about giving being one of the ways we live in a manner that reflects we are aware that we are accountable to God.

Jesus teaches us that seeking God’s kingdom involves living according to His standards, with pure motives focused on pleasing Him rather than gaining approval from others. This challenging word makes us examine our hearts and actions.

What’s Wrong with Seeking Recognition from Others?

Jesus contrasts two different motivations for giving:

  1. Giving to be praised by others – which results in no heavenly reward.
  2. Giving to please God – which results in eternal reward from the Father.

The key difference lies in who we’re trying to impress. When we give to be seen by others, we receive temporary praise but forfeit eternal reward. However, when we give in secret for God’s eyes only, He promises to reward us.

What Does it Mean to Give in Secret?

Jesus instructs us to “not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” This speaks to maintaining innocence and purity of heart in our giving. It’s not about absolute secrecy. Rather it is about:

  1. Giving without drawing attention to ourselves.
  2. Maintaining pure motives focused on pleasing God.
  3. Not seeking recognition or praise from others.
  4. Giving as an act of worship between you and God.

What Does This Have to do With True Righteousness?

  1. True righteousness comes from a transformed heart.
  2. It’s motivated by love for God and others, not self-promotion.
  3. Following God’s ways brings freedom and rest.
  4. Righteousness actually tastes better than sin, though sin deceives us to think otherwise.

What About God’s Rewards?

Jesus promises that the Father rewards those who give with pure motives, and it is not wrong to seek eternal reward for obedience. Otherwise, Jesus would not have given it to us as a motivation. Living for eternal reward is depending on future grace, and that’s a life of faith. What about those rewards?

  1. Rewards may be both earthly and eternal.
  2. The greatest reward is deeper intimacy with God.
  3. God’s rewards far exceed temporary earthly praise.
  4. We must trust God’s timing for reward.

This week, challenge yourself to:

Examine your motives when serving or giving – are you seeking human praise or God’s approval?

Look for opportunities to give or serve in secret, known only to God.

Trust that God sees and will reward faithfulness in His timing and way.

Questions to reflect on:

  1. Am I content with God alone seeing my acts of service?
  2. Do I trust God’s rewards more than human recognition?
  3. What areas of my life need to shift from seeking human approval to seeking God’s approval?