A GODWARD LIFE
Matt 6: 1-8 – Warning About Practicing Righteousness in Order to Be Seen
Verse 1 – Beware of practicing your righteousness to be seen. This righteousness are those religious practices (or pieties) we do habitually like giving generously (vv2-4), praying (vv5-15), fasting (vv16-18), going to church and serving the poor. Earlier in Matthew 5:15 Jesus said “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven,” but now He is warning here that doing them to be recognized will earn us no reward from the Father in heaven and the praise we receive will be our only reward. He is saying we are to live righteously in such a way that it brings honor to God the Father, not self-congratulation. People were, and still are, doing their righteous deeds in public to gain honor and praise and status. They want to be heard, they want recognition, they want to promote themselves, maybe by having their name on the church window or bench, or be listed on the high-donor list. Jesus calls this hypocrisy and tells his disciples what they must do instead.
In verses 2-4 – on giving to be seen Jesus says “don’t sound a trumpet” when you are giving. In other words, don’t call attention to what and how much you are giving. Jesus goes on to say, “don’t let your right hand know what your left hand is doing.” In other words (a) give in secret; don’t be a show-off or calculative in your giving. (b) Give because it is right to give and because you really care and want to give. (c) Don’t try to impress others with your generosity.
Question:
- What is your motivation and goal when you announce how much you are giving?
- What is your motivation for feeding the needy?
In verses 5-8 Jesus again tells his disciples to pray in secret and not to heap up empty phrases like the Gentiles do and not to pray to be seen and heard by others. The Jews had a time (still does) when they stopped everything they are doing and prayed where they are, and some would make sure when the time comes they would be in a strategic place, like in the marketplace, or where there was a crowd and they pray loudly to show their piety so others can hear how eloquent they are. Apparently, the Gentiles would babble on and on repeating the names of their gods over and over in the hope that their gods would hear and act on their behalf. But Jesus says to go pray in secret because our Father in heaven knows what we need before you ask him.
Let’s look at the word hypocrisy
Online Dictionary: Hypocrisy is the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform, essentially, pretending to be virtuous or knowledgeable while acting otherwise, often involving a disconnect between public persona and private actions or a double standard where one judges others for actions they secretly condone in themselves. It involves insincerity, deceit, and the false assumption of virtues or beliefs one doesn't possess, leading to criticism and a lack of trust.
This is why they call a lot of Believers hypocrites (even when it is not merited) just because someone might have made a mistake or sinned. The Bible tells us we will all sin and fall short of what is expected of us, and goes on to say that when we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us (I John 1:9). Praise be to God.
Hypocrisy in the Greek language originally meant donning a mask in a play when playing various roles; so an actor. It meant to give an answer; could be an interpreter of dreams, an orator, or a reciter of poetry.
It was a neutral term but gained a negative connotation of pretense, duplicity or insincerity.
So being hypocritical is doing the right thing with the wrong motive.
Other places in the Bible showing hypocrisy
Matt 7:1-5 – guilty of being judgmental of others faults, while ignoring their own.
Matt 15:1-9; Matt 23:3-6; 13-14 - a conflict between their external actions and internal attitude (motive).
Remember, God looks at the heart.
What is your motivation and goal when you announce how much you are giving?
What is your motivation for feeding the needy?
