Matthew 6:1-4 (NKJV)

Matthew 6:1-4 (NKJV)

1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Matthew 6:1-4 (NKJV)

3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

SERMON ON THE MOUNT:OUR MOTIVES

Matthew 6:1-4

SOM: Our Motives

We continue our study of the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5-7

We wrapped up chapter 5 of our study last week

Over the last half of chapter 5, Jesus had spent time examining the old law and their understanding of it

SOM: Our Motives

He taught the correct meaning or understanding of the law

Jesus now shifts gears a little when transitioning to chapter 6

He still gives us vital truths for living the Christian life more effectively and in a manner more pleasing to God

SOM: Our Motives

1. To be seen or not to be seen (v. 1)

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven”

Compare to 5:16 that says “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works…”

SOM: Our Motives


It seems like in one place Jesus says to let our works be seen, and in another He says to do them in secret

Is this a contradiction?

The difference is seen in one’s motives for their good works

SOM: Our Motives


We are not to do good deeds just to be seen by them

Some do good works simply so that others will see those good works and praise them

There were many then and now who do good deeds just to receive praise and glory from men

SOM: Our Motives


Jesus indicates here that if we do deeds to be seen by men, then we will have no reward from God

This tells us that:

God rewards

God rewards those who do good in sincerity

SOM: Our Motives

2. Leave the band at home (v. 2)

There were some who did their charitable deeds while calling attention to themselves

The idea here being almsgiving

Jesus calls these individuals hypocrites

They were actors, acting as if they were motivated by love for God

SOM: Our Motives


All the while, they were only doing it that “they may have glory from men”

That was the only reward they were going to receive

The child of God should always be focused on the heavenly reward vs. the earthly one

SOM: Our Motives


One who seeks to be rewarded by men cannot expect to also receive rewards from God

There are times when we may be rewarded when we are not seeking it

However, Jesus is referring to those seeking a reward from men

SOM: Our Motives

3. Covert operation (vs. 3-4)

Jesus says that when we do a charitable deed, we should not even let our left hand know what our right hand is doing

The idea here is to be so secretive about it that it can only mean that our motives will be kept pure

SOM: Our Motives


When a person would go by to drop their alms in, they should do it in a secretive way, not drawing attention to themselves

Remember, God isn’t concerned with the amount we give as much as He is with the heart that gives it (Mark 12:41-44)

SOM: Our Motives


Doing our deed in secret will ensure that our motives are pure and that the one who we perhaps do it for is not embarrassed

What harm it could cause if we call attention to the one who has such a great need in their life that may not want it advertised

SOM: Our Motives


There is also another truth at work here

God sees everything (Heb. 4:13)

He even sees the things that we do in secret

God will reward our secret deeds

He will reward them openly

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Matthew 6:1-4 (NKJV)