Scripture to Read: Matthew 6:1–2
One of the ways we serve our Lord is by helping the poor in our communities. But even in helping the poor, Jesus said in Matthew 6:2, “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.” We don’t know if anyone ever really played a loud horn to call attention to themselves in Jesus’ day, but the religious leaders in His day would seek to do their so-called righteous acts only when a crowd was around. They made sure to call attention to themselves, seeking the glory and applause of people. The sad truth is that Jesus said they already received their reward in full. In other words, there was nothing that they would receive from their Heavenly Father, for they had robbed Him of the glory due Him. Jesus called them hypocrites. A hypocrite was an actor who wore a mask to portray a character. Jesus called them hypocrites because they acted like they were holy when they were not. These religious leaders falsely claimed to live by a standard when they did not. Jesus wants our lives to be lived in a way that brings Him glory and that our lives are genuine and not a lie. Our Lord wants every act of kindness and every gift given to be done so that if anyone were to find out about it, they’d know it was done because of Christ in us.
Challenge & Application
· Why did Jesus call the religious of His day hypocrites, and how have you seen people be hypocrites today?
· Why did Jesus say they had already received their reward in full, and who were they robbing?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!