ACTS OF GIVING
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) Giving to the needy
i) 1“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:1-4 NIV)
1. Our motives for giving
a) The term hypocrites, as used here, describes people who do good acts for appearances only - not out of compassion or other good motives. Their actions may be good, but their motives are hollow. These empty acts are their only reward, but God will reward those who are sincere in their faith.
b) It is easier to do what's right when we gain recognition and praise. To be sure our motives are not selfish, we should do our good works quietly or in secret, with no thought of reward.
c) Jesus says we should check our motives in 3 areas:
i) Generosity
@1. 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:4 NIV)
ii) Prayer
@1. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:6 NIV)
iii) Fasting
@1. 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:18 NIV)
d) Those acts should not be self-centered, but God-centered, done not to make us look good but to make God look good. The reward God promises is not material, and it is never given to those who seek it. Doing something only for ourselves is not a loving sacrifice. With your next good deed, ask "Would I still do this if no one would ever know I did it?"
2. Prayer focus
a) Pray that our motives are right when giving to help others. We want God to bless us in return when we do it right in his sight.
The End ...
0. Introductiona) Giving to the needy
i) 1“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:1-4 NIV)
1. Our motives for giving
a) The term hypocrites, as used here, describes people who do good acts for appearances only - not out of compassion or other good motives. Their actions may be good, but their motives are hollow. These empty acts are their only reward, but God will reward those who are sincere in their faith.
b) It is easier to do what's right when we gain recognition and praise. To be sure our motives are not selfish, we should do our good works quietly or in secret, with no thought of reward.
c) Jesus says we should check our motives in 3 areas:
i) Generosity
@1. 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:4 NIV)
ii) Prayer
@1. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:6 NIV)
iii) Fasting
@1. 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:18 NIV)
d) Those acts should not be self-centered, but God-centered, done not to make us look good but to make God look good. The reward God promises is not material, and it is never given to those who seek it. Doing something only for ourselves is not a loving sacrifice. With your next good deed, ask "Would I still do this if no one would ever know I did it?"
2. Prayer focus
a) Pray that our motives are right when giving to help others. We want God to bless us in return when we do it right in his sight.
Comments
Post a Comment