Righteous Living,   Matthew   6:1-18

This post explains how Jesus viewed righteous living.

Righteous Living describes the danger of doing virtuous deeds for self-glory, Matthew 6:1. “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father…” Jesus says beware because letting others see our good deeds should give glory to God, not self, Matthew 5:16. “… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father … in heaven.” Is my motive self-glory or glory to God?

Jesus provides two commands to accompany the good deed of giving to the needy, Matthew 6:2-4. “…when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they …praised by others… …when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand…doing, so that…giving… in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” They who advertise their giving receive earthly praise or rewards, but not from God.

Another rule concerns oneself. Not letting your left hand know what your right hand does means that you do not praise yourself to yourself. Mentally what you do should provide glory to God, not self.

Praying can involve hypocritical public displays and many words to get personal praise, Luke 6:5-7. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they… seen by others…

…But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who …in secret…

…And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do,” 

Likewise, the goal of fasting should not aim for personal glory, Luke 6:16. “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others.”

So, what did we learn?

1.My motives for honorable deeds, praying, and fasting should provide glory to God, not self.

2.Righteous living involves giving praise to God, not getting self-glory.

For more on the Bible,

click tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com

#motiveGoodDeedsPrayingFasting #GloryToGodNotSelf-glory