Today’s passage: Matthew 6:1-4
Helpful thoughts:
- The word used here that is translated as “Beware” means to take a hold of something and look at it. We can look at our motives right now of the things we have been doing. And, we can take a hold and look at our motives before we act going forward.
- Hypocrite is the Greek word for an actor; portraying someone that you are not for a show. Those trumpeting their good works to receive praise were not doing good works and deserved no praise. They were just actors, playing the part of a righteous person.
Questions to consider:
- What is the motive of being seen in this passage? How does it differ from the motive in Matthew 5:16?
- Why does it feel better to be praised by people than to know we are pleasing God?
- How will practicing righteousness (loving God and loving people) for the right reasons produce more joy?