DEVOTION: WHICH ONE DO YOU WANT – PASTOR SHADRACK RUTO

DEVOTION: WHICH ONE DO YOU WANT – PASTOR SHADRACK RUTO

In our passage today, Christ’s sermon is focused on the practices of righteousness. In following series of topics, he begins with helping the poor. But before embarking on these topics, Christ gives the following thesis for his sermon.

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1

Then He begins by stating what must have been the practice of the day.

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others.Matthew 6:2a

Notice that those who practiced this outward righteousness were hypocrites whose goal was to receive honor from other people. This is what Christ says about these hypocrites.

Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. Matthew 6:2b

Interesting and scary at the same time! If one practices his or her righteousness in public in the same way the hypocrites did, then the reward they get is only honor from men and nothing more!

But in order to assure yourself that you will get a reward from God, Christ shows the best way to help the needy.

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Matthew 6:3-4a

This has this sure guarantee

Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:4b

APPLICATION:

1. Is this a totally new principle to you? If so, what do you think? Does this make sense to you?
2. If you have helped a needy person, then, how did you present this gift to them? Were you seeking to be recognized by men for your kind act? On the other hand, have you help someone and to this day, no body knows about it? If so, this would qualify as a secret giving that would receive God’s reward!
3. Why does anyone desire to be recognized by men instead of being content only with God’s recognition? Do you have any idea?
4. If you have not help someone secretly, then you need to do this. It is the most rewarding experience you can ever experience.
5. Here is a verse to keep in mind as you consider helping the needy in a proper manner as Christ describes in today’s passage.

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, 
 and he will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17

If you help the poor in public, you will receive honor

And this is your reward, which you get instantly

But if you help the poor by any kind action

Doing this secretly and not in public

You will receive your reward

From God

Whichever manner you choose to help the poor

Either way, you will receiver a reward

The question is this

WHICH ONE DO YOU WANT?

By Pastor Shadrack Ruto

http://www.upendochurch.org/

DEVOTION: WHICH ONE DO YOU WANT – PASTOR SHADRACK RUTO