Give to Glorify
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“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward with your Father in heaven. So whenever you give to the poor, don’t sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:1-4
6:1-18 public religious life
19-34 personal interior life
7:1-12 interpersonal life
Main point of 6:1-18 is 1 Practice righteousness for God’s sake not your sake.
Context - sermon starts with humbly coming to God, then responding publicly by being salt and light for the purpose of revealing God’s glory.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men.
“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
“Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Here we find Jesus still commanding us to do acts of righteousness but with right intent.
6:1 acts of righteousness; how, where?
In front of, to be seen by (no reward) vs in front of to glorify God (reward in heaven & expansion of the kingdom now)
Example in acts
Now the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common. With great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them. For there was not a needy person among them because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of what was sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet. This was then distributed to each person as any had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas (which is translated Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land? Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God.” When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard. The young men got up, wrapped his body, carried him out, and buried him. About three hours later, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. “Tell me,” Peter asked her, “did you sell the land for this price?” “Yes,” she said, “for that price.” Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Instantly she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men came in, they found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband. Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things. Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared to join them, but the people spoke well of them. Believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers—multitudes of both men and women. As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. In addition, a multitude came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
Be hearers and doers, but doers in right way, with pure heart and without blemish.
Be hearers and doers, but doers in right way, with pure heart and without blemish.
But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does. If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, his religion is useless and he deceives himself. Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
6:2 do not announce it - don’t seek attention or recognition seek to do good, that is the reward.
Give
Give
Giving generously is not a new command, but a consistent theme throughout Biblical history.
For there will never cease to be poor people in the land; that is why I am commanding you, ‘Open your hand willingly to your poor and needy brother in your land.’
They were commanded to both give generously in moments of need as well as systemically for ongoing provision. God includes us in how He provides for His people. He created a system within Israels nation as well as within the church that required dependence on God and each other, and for needs to be met without requiring outside help, and for ministry to those outside the community.
I have now brought the first of the land’s produce that you, Lord, have given me. You will then place the container before the Lord your God and bow down to him. You, the Levites, and the resident aliens among you will rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given you and your household. “When you have finished paying all the tenth of your produce in the third year, the year of the tenth, you are to give it to the Levites, resident aliens, fatherless children and widows, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. Then you will say in the presence of the Lord your God: I have taken the consecrated portion out of my house; I have also given it to the Levites, resident aliens, fatherless children, and widows, according to all the commands you gave me. I have not violated or forgotten your commands. I have not eaten any of it while in mourning, or removed any of it while unclean, or offered any of it for the dead. I have obeyed the Lord my God; I have done all you commanded me. Look down from your holy dwelling, from heaven, and bless your people Israel and the land you have given us as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.
Deuteronomy 26:10-
Why do we give? What happens when we don’t?
We give understanding God is the provider and includes us in His mission.
“Since the days of your fathers, you have turned from my statutes; you have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Armies. Yet you ask, “How can we return?” “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me!” “How do we rob you?” you ask. “By not making the payments of the tenth and the contributions. You are suffering under a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing me. Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this way,” says the Lord of Armies. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not ruin the produce of your land and your vine in your field will not fail to produce fruit,” says the Lord of Armies. “Then all the nations will consider you fortunate, for you will be a delightful land,” says the Lord of Armies. “Your words against me are harsh,” says the Lord. Yet you ask, “What have we spoken against you?” You have said: “It is useless to serve God. What have we gained by keeping his requirements and walking mournfully before the Lord of Armies?
Pure Motives
Pure Motives
Sounding the Trumpet - offering chests in the temple we’re trumpet shaped with a winding narrowing funnel that at its narrowest point empties into the chest. Prevented thieves from stealing. Likely He meant people who tossed coins noisily into the trumpet chest in order to draw attention to their generosity.
Hypocrites - originally Greek hypocrites were actors that wore masks to play various roles in a play. Don’t be like a hypocrite who plays various roles for the sake of your public audience.
Not only does it matter that you obey, but it matters how you obey and why you obey.
Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.
, ,
For I desire faithful love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.
Humble Heart
Humble Heart
3-4 don’t even make a big deal about it to yourself. Even if you serve without seeking public recognition, you may be prideful in your mind, serve for the sake of serving.
Understand that it’s a matter of obedience. Example obeying as a child or employee. It’s expected of you if you are a child or an employee.
Let God do the praising and we should focus on praising Him. Beatitudes, approves of God are those with a heart attitude.
Religion without relationship is useless, don’t just go through the motions, don’t do it to earn anything, don’t do it for your own glory, obey God for the purpose of His glory.
Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah! “What are all your sacrifices to me?” asks the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings and rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I have no desire for the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats. When you come to appear before me, who requires this from you— this trampling of my courts? Stop bringing useless offerings. Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons and Sabbaths, and the calling of solemn assemblies— I cannot stand iniquity with a festival. I hate your New Moons and prescribed festivals. They have become a burden to me; I am tired of putting up with them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will refuse to look at you; even if you offer countless prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. “Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from my sight. Stop doing evil. Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause. “Come, let us settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are crimson red, they will be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land. But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Why does Jesus give us this instruction?
What does this text tell us about God? - God gives generously not because He is obligated to but because He desires to, for the purpose of restoring the kingdom, bringing eternal peace to His creation. Greatest most generous gift was Jesus life.
How do we apply to our life? - Part of His restorative work is passing His generosity on to His people. He doesn’t merely bless us as individuals, but desires us to be part of blessing others. Our lives, our time, even our money are not ends in themselves but tools for ministry, resources for pushing back the darkness. Jesus promised the gates of hell would not prevail against His church, this is a promise of victory and a call to action, we need to invest in this fight, if we truly believe, love Him we will obey and actively do the work of kingdom expansion.