READING: Matthew 5-8
It’s easy, I think, for many of us to fall into the trap. We want to be faithful to the Lord . . . but every once in a while, we also want others to know how faithful we are. We want the Lord’s affirmation . . . but we don’t mind the affirmation of others, too. We look forward to heavenly rewards to give back to the Redeemer, but we also appreciate a pat on the back this side of eternity. Obviously, genuine encouragement is important, but too often we look for more than encouragement; we look instead for recognition. In some ways—whether we want to admit it—we’re too much like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day.
So, Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount ought to grab our attention today: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them” (Matt 6:6). Particularly, Jesus listed giving, prayer, and fasting as sample practices we sometimes want others to recognize in us. It strikes me that these are spiritual disciplines that by their very nature are private, behind the scenes, unrecognized ones—so, we have to intentionally spend some effort making certain others know what we’re doing. It takes work to make sure others see us. That’s a serious desire for rewards this side of heaven.
And, sometimes, many of us still go there. May the Lord help us to do otherwise today.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you ever want—seek, even—this kind of recognition?
PRAYER: “Help me, God, to serve You today without desire for reward from others.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Matthew 9-12
