“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, NRSV)
I always love this text. The text that starts us off on Ash Wednesday into our 40 day (plus Sundays) journey with Jesus during Lent.
Do not let others see you practicing piety for gain from them. Our works of piety, and mercy and love should be done so only our Heavenly Father knows about them. We should not be seeking the approval of others.
This is really the just here of this text and our faith. Our faith is not to bring attention to us. Our faith is to ground us in the love that God has for us and in turn show that love to the world. Not for a pat on the back or a job well done, but because we are loved to love. We are freed to free. We are fed to feed.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be. If you are seeking the adoration of others, your treasure lies in your own empowerment, but if you love because God loved you and do not seek the adoration and good job of others, then your heart is with God.
So practice your faith so that God gets noticed!
aSacredRebel 