Beware, not Stop!

Beware, Not Stop
Matthew 6:1

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.”

This week, we are returning to Sunday’s study of the difference between good and godly acts of devotion. We are so good at being bad that we can even turn sacred actions into sinful ones.

Before teaching about giving, prayer, and fasting, Jesus gives us a warning: beware of doing good deeds in order to be seen. Some might read that warning as a reason to avoid these practices altogether. But Jesus is not telling us to stop giving, praying, or fasting. He is addressing the reason we do them.

Jesus says, “Watch out,” not “Stop!”

A warning sign tells us there is danger ahead. It does not necessarily tell us to turn around. Yet some of us become so afraid of having the wrong motives that we do nothing at all. That misses Jesus’ point too.

Jesus warns us against practicing devotion to gain attention, acclaim, or applause. If earthly praise is what we seek, earthly praise is the reward we will receive.

So this week, let’s examine why we do what we do. Our sinful hearts can twist even good things. Generosity can become a way to gain influence. Prayer can become a way to impress the room. Fasting can become a spiritual flex.

God sees beyond the act to the heart behind it. What does he see in yours?