This past Sunday Pastor Morgan continued our Sermon on the Mount series. This week we focussed on Matthew 6:1-4. 

 

Here, Jesus is speaking to the motives behind our good words, specifically how we can sometimes treat this as a transactional relationship. Jesus is targeting the motivation that leads to good works for the purpose of being seen and praised by others. It is a motivation that is more focussed on performance than reality. 

 

Jesus cares about our good works, but he also cares about why we do them. The reason for our good works is not to exalt ourselves in the eyes of those who witness our works, it is to glorify our Father in Heaven and increase his fame (Matthew 5:16). 

 

Pastor Morgan clarified for us that Jesus is not saying don’t do good works. Jesus is also not saying to only do your good works in secret. Jesus is targeting the motivation for why we do good works. If you ever wonder why you’re doing something, consider how you may respond to critique or feedback on your actions. If your response is to fiercely defend yourself, this may be the proverbial indicator light that perhaps you were starting to care more about your image than that of Christ’s. 

 

In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus seemed to focus on the dangers of sinful behavior (adultery, hatred, deceit, etc.) but in chapter 6, Jesus begins to focus on the dangers that come with religious practices. Specifically, Jesus is targeting the insincere nature of performance-based good works and hypocrisy.

 

We all long to be noticed or acknowledged in different ways. When we forget the love and attention of Jesus we can be tempted to seek recognition from other sources. For those that seek human praise, Jesus tells us that they will receive just that as their reward. But is that it? Jesus invites us to a deeper righteousness and reward. Jesus tells us that even those acts of righteousness that are done without praise or a spotlight are seen by our Father and they will be rewarded. 

 

In the story of the two sons (The Prodigal Son) we find two brothers who are both seeking something from their father. The story ends with the older son’s motives exposed for why he focussed so much on his good works. We all must wrestle with our motives for our good works. Are they to exalt our image and reputation? Or are they to magnify Christ?