Thought For Today - August 30 - What Did Jesus Say About Good Works And Giving ?

 Thought For Today - August 30`
 What did Jesus say about good works and giving?
By: Robert A. Searles

    Men and women love to be recognized and praised and win medals for their generosity and good works. To be seen and glorified by their fellowman is the only motivation of many for their benevolence and charity, even though their heart is not really in it. 

    Jesus taught about the hypocrites who love to stand in prominent places and pray so as to be seen of men, and to be known for their so called spirituality.

    Sad to say that there are some do gooders and givers in churches today that want to be known by what they do and be recognized, and have their names displayed in prominent places.

    God knows all about our hypocrisy and the motives of our heart. If we truly love God and love our fellowman, all our good works and giving ought to be motivated by a heart in tune with God, not caring whether anyone knows about it, and not seeking rewards.

    We ought to gladly serve God with our good works and giving out of pure gratitude for what Christ has done for us by saving us from eternal separation from God.  We could never earn God's favor by anything we could give or do. All the blessings that we receive from God are free gifts of God's grace, unmerited favor.

    Jesus said: "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of them: Otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Wherefore when thou doest thine alms do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth. That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:1-4.

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry