To Be Seen of Men?

In our continuing study, Jesus deals with an issue of the heart, which is pride. God hates pride. Pride is what got Satan and his followers cast out of heaven. He tried to exalt himself above God and God kicked him and his bunch out of heaven. So, Jesus talks about 3 things people did and their motivations for doing them. The three main things the Jewish culture did was giving to the needy, praying, and fasting. He advises us here not to do things "to be seen of men," which is seeking the approval of men. Do things without having to be praised or noticed by people. Then one day, God will "reward us openly (KJV)" for all we've done.

Do not do things to lift yourself up, or exalt yourself, or to gain the praise, approval, and admiration of men. We should always humble ourselves before God and men. This will prevent pride from taking root in our hearts. Why stay humble? Because pride, arrogance, and conceit is misplaced worship. Prideful, arrogant, conceited people worship themselves instead of worshiping God. They love for others to worship or praise them. They crave man's glory, honor, and praise more than God's. We should only seek the "approval of God."

"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 

So let's look at this passage and let it speak to you, by the Spirit inside us.

Matthew 6:1-18 NIV

[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. [5]  “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. [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. [7] And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. [8] Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. [9]  “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, [10]  your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. [11]  Give us today our daily bread. [12]  And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. [13]  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’ [14]  For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. [16]  “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. [17] But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, [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.

(*NOTE: The Lord's Prayer in verses 9-13 is a framework to build our prayers from. We're not to say this prayer exactly like this, which has been a tradition for many years. Use it as an example on how to pray and what to pray for as you talk to God.)

Okay, moving forward. What rewards is He talking about? The rewards that Jesus will give us on Judgement day. All Christians will stand before the Judgement seat of Christ and we will "receive rewards" or "suffer loss," for what we did while we were on the Earth. These are rewards in addition to going to heaven and experiencing eternal life. 

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 NIV

[10] By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. [11] For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. [12] If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, [13] their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. [14] If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. [15] If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

So, our actions will be rewarded or not rewarded on the Day of judgement. 

Now, Jesus is saying here that if we do things for man's praise or approval, then that praise and approval is the only reward we will get. He won't give us a reward at the Judgement Seat of Christ when we stand before Him on that Day.

So let's be good and do good just because it is the right thing to do, laying up for ourselves "treasures in heaven." Letting our "light shine" so people will experience our good works and glorify "our Father in heaven."

Do not seek attention, praise, admiration, or approval from mankind. Stay humble and be and do good so God will be praised! Remember, love God and love people, so they will be saved too.

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post