Be Careful...

Be Careful

Matthew 6:1–4

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spent a considerable amount of time contrasting what people had heard, and what He was now teaching... “You have heard it said... but I tell you.” And at the end of Jesus’ sermon, we’re told, “the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”

The “teachers of the law” were the religious leaders who’d mastered public displays of spirituality. They knew how to pray eloquent prayers in public, they made sure to let others know they were fasting, and gave generously with fanfare... but in the end, they glorified man rather than glorifying God.

So Jesus offered, what’s actually the simplest and most basic of warnings to those who followed the Pharisee’s teachings! “Be careful.” The same thing we say to children when they’re taking their first steps... or learning to ride a bike...

“Be careful.” Of course, that simple phrase implies vigilance. Being alert, and thoughtful... wise. Not fearful... but aware. Because even the most genuine acts of obedience and faithfulness can become corrupted when we begin to believe it’s all about us.

Jesus never told the Pharisees (or anyone else) that giving, or praying, or fasting were wrong. His warning was centered on our tendency and desire for admiration above honoring God.

Jesus said in verse 2: “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do…” By saying, “when you give” - Jesus is saying it’s “a given” that you, as a faithful follower and believer, will give! But how and why, matters!

The word “hypocrite” originally referred to an actor on a stage—someone wearing a mask. Someone pretending to be someone they’re not! That is exactly what false religion does. It performs righteousness outwardly while hiding, or masking, inward pride.

God’s Word reminds us that sin affects every part of our nature, including our religious activity. Even our good works can become polluted by self-absorption.

“There’s nothing more difficult than {overcoming all ambition} while seeking to do good.” [lit. to preserve us from all ambition]. John Calvin

Isaiah 64:6 reminds us that even our righteous acts are tainted apart from God’s grace.

Pride, and self-centeredness can be subtle. We begin to slowly appreciate and expect the applause and the accolades and recognition more than we “enjoy God... and glorify Him.” If we’re not careful, as Jesus warns, we may give, or serve, or teach, or sacrifice—not entirely for the glory of God—but because we enjoy being noticed.

Of course, Jesus says, that in doing so, we’ve “received [our] reward in full.” If applause is our desire, it will be our reward.

We should always be asking ourselves, “Why am I doing what I’m doing?” “Am I trying to win the approval of man, or of God?” (Paraphrased, Galatians 1:10)

When our intentions... our motives... are to please God, and to Glorify our Savior “our left hand [won’t even] know what your right hand is doing…”

Listen: Jesus is not forbidding all public acts of generosity... nor is He saying we can’t appreciate others, and express our appreciation. The issue is motive... are we serving, and worshiping, and giving from a place of humble, sincere devotion... or pride?

The Good News here... and the promise for us, is that when we seek to honor God, and to serve Him alone, our “Father, who sees what is done in secret” rewards us!

Jesus taught his disciples this Truth, in a tangible way, when they were sitting in the Temple courts. Jesus looked up, and noticed the rich throwing their offerings into the offering receptacles - making lots of noise in the process. But a poor widow came humbly, gently placing two small coins in the offering, without causing much notice. Jesus praised her humility and generosity... while pointing out that it NOT the amount given that’s important... but the reason behind the gift!

The world often overlooks quiet faithfulness, but God never does. True acts of faithful devotion never escape the Lord’s sight.

This reflects a deeply Biblical (and Reformed) truth: believers live Coram Deo — before the face of God. Our lives are not performances for the crowd; they are offerings before our heavenly Father.

The gospel itself reshapes our motives. We do not do good deeds or perform good works to earn salvation. We do such things because we have already received grace through Christ.

Ephesians 2:8–10 reminds us: “For it is by grace you have been saved… not by works… For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” Our efforts, our works, our deeds, our prayers, our sacrifices... are the fruit of salvation, not the root of it.

Thomas Watson, the Puritan Reformer, wrote:

“A godly man is more careful about his heart than his name.” That’s the spirit/attitude Jesus calls us to emulate. God desires sincerity, not performance.

The hypocrite lives for the applause...

The believer lives to glorify the Father.

The former receives temporary praise.

The latter receives an eternal reward.

Of course, Jesus is our perfect example. He lived out His calling NOT for the praise of man, but for the glory of the Father. His most generous gift... His life, given on the cross for us, was an act of pure humility and love, that’s still glorifying the Father, to this day.

And through faith in Him, our self-serving motives are forgiven, our hearts are transformed, and our good works become acceptable to God as acts of praise, through Christ... to the glory of God, alone.

Amen.