Is it possible to “put on a show” when it comes to the practice of one’s faith? Is it possible to do the right things for the wrong reasons? Is it possible to appear to be something on the outside that one is not on the inside? The answer to all of these questions is a powerful: “Yes.”
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day could have been classified as awarding-winning actors. They dressed the part. They played the part. They received the praise and adoration of their audiences. They often grew wealthy in the process. Jesus, however, was not impressed with their acting abilities. He often called them out for their hypocrisy. It is interesting that the word “hypocrite” is defined as “a stage player.” An actor is one individual as he performs for the public. He is another individual when not on stage. The same was true of the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ day. They were one thing on the outside. They were something completely different on the inside.
In Matthew 6:1-8, the Savior confronts some of the practices of the Jewish leaders. He notes that the things they were doing were done to be seen of men. They were done to impress men. They were done to receive the accolades of men. They were done to be held in honor of man. Jesus’ conclusion with regard to their behaviors was that they had their reward. Their reward was earthly and carnal. Their reward was from mortal men. Their reward would only benefit them in the here and now. Let’s look at the actions of these man and give heed to the counsel of the Master Teacher.
Jesus begins with a WEIGHTY WARNING. “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” (Matt. 6:1). The words “take heed” mean “to hold the mind to, to pay attention to, to be cautious” (Strong, e-sword). Jesus told His audience to pay attention to their motives when they did their alms. Alms were acts of charity or benevolence. If a person gave to be seen of men, he could expect no reward from his heavenly Father.
After His warning, He exposed the WRONG WAYS of the Jewish leaders. The Lord set three examples before His listeners. First, He talked about their “Benevolence to Others” in Matthew 6:2-4. When the scribes and Pharisees did their alms, it involves a “public presentation.” “Therefore 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” (Matt. 6:2). Can you imagine hearing the sound of a trumpet and turning to see a religious leader making a public display of charity on a street corner? What if you heard the trumpet again and turned to see the leader assisting someone else along the street? It is hard to imagine, but this was the practice of some of the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day. They wanted all to see their charity and benevolence. Jesus declared: “They have their reward.”
Instead of these public presentations, Jesus admonished His disciples to engage in a “private practice” of almsgiving. “But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms by be seen in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly” (Matt. 6:3-4). Doing things in secret has a completely different reward from a completely different source. The reward is not earthly; it is heavenly. It does not come from men, but from one’s omniscient Father in heaven.
Second, Jesus illustrated His point through “Bowing in Prayer” (Matt. 6:5-6). He began this section with “presumptuous prayers” offered by the hypocrites. “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily, I say unto you, They have their reward” (Matt. 6:5). These men loved to stand in very open places when they prayed. They wanted all to know that they were men who were given to prayer. They were the prayer warriors of the day. They were seen by others, but, as Jesus concludes, “They have their reward.
Jesus encouraged His disciples to pray “private prayers” instead of the pompous prayers of the religious leaders. These, he said, would bring a reward from their heavenly Father. “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” (Matt. 5:6).
Third, Jesus notes the “Babbling in Prayer” by the heathen. They involved themselves in “pretentious prose.” “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do…” (Matt. 6:7a). These men prayed the same phrases over and over and over. Their prayers were not concluded in a minute or two. Their “vain repetitions” enabled them to pray for long periods of time. These individuals had a “proud purpose” to their babblings. “…for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matt. 6:7b). The ones they hoped were hearing were men. Note, God could have heard them without their uttering a single word. Again, they had their reward.
Jesus, issued a “pithy prohibition” to His followers in this section. He said: “Be not therefore like unto them…” (Matt. 6:8a). God did not want proud people who longed to be heard by others for their long prayers coming before His throne. Brief, sincere requests would have been enough. Why no more? Because our Father has “precise prescience.” “…for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him” (Matt. 6:8b).
Christian living was not designed to “make a show” before men. Much of what we do for the Lord can be done in secret. There will be no fanfare. There will be little applause. There will be few “thank you’s.” This, however, is not what the faithful disciple is seeking. He seeks to please the Father. When He carries out his responsibilities responsibly and quietly, the Father in heaven notices. When the Day of Judgment comes, this diligent, faithful servant will be rewarded openly by God.
Dear reader, which do you desire? A reward that comes from the praise of men? Or, a reward that springs from the a faithful God who has promised to reward those who conduct their lives honestly, faithfully, and quietly while serving in this world. Please remember that the praise of men is temporal. The rewards of our loving Father, on the other hand, are eternal.