Lesson Fifty-One: Charitable Deeds
51.1 The Sermon on the Mount (continued): As Children of the Kingdom of grace we behold the Father always before our eyes. The word "Father" runs constantly through these verses.. Beholding Him we are freed from hypocrisy.
51.2 Matthew chapter five deals with the false teaching of the scribes and Pharisees and the wrong conduct (false righteousness), that resulted. Matthew chapter six deals with their false piety (false holiness) - apart from anything they were teaching.
51.3 Jesus said,
Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds (good works) before men, to be seen by them, otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1
51.4 The Pharisees were doing their good works to be seen by men. The recognition of men would be their only reward.
Beholding the Father, our motive for doing good (works) will be entirely different. Jesus had already stated it...
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:1651.5 Jesus explained...
Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
Matthew 6:2-451.6 The real motive for serving God (doing good works) is a loving and thankful heart. Our reward is in heaven. Yet it pleases our Father God to reward us openly, thus recognizing us as His sons. How just is He?
Discussion: How can we do our good works in such a way that our Father in heaven is glorified.
Memory Verse: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.