« Love Your Enemies | Main | Webmaster on Holidays... »
October 09, 2007
Don't be a spiritual Exhibitionist!
In Jesus' day, the religious leaders had mastered the art of spiritual exhibitionism. Caring for the poor was an important facet of Judaism. The question wasn't whether you should or should not care for the poor, but how you should give. The religious leaders gave. However, when they gave they made sure they had an audience. Jesus comes along and says, when you give, don't give to be seen by others. Give to be seen by the one person it matters. God! If you give to be seen by others, that's all the reward you'll get, an inflated ego and maybe some applause. But Jesus says, when you give to the needy...don't do it to be seen or noticed by others. Instead, give so that no one, except God, knows. And he will reward you, for when you give to the needy, the Bible says, "you are lending to the Lord."
Posted by: ed