Thoughts for the Day

Jesus said, "Beware of practising 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."

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

The word "pious" is an old word, meaning to 'strongly believe in a religion so that it shows this belief'. So what is wrong with that? After all Jesus has taught us to "bear much fruit" (John 15.8) and to "love one another as I have loved you". (John 15.12). So surely it doesn't matter if we are seen to be helping others, or giving to the Church?

Well, first Jesus is not telling his disciples to give to the poor. He naturally expects them to do this, for they would not be his disciples if they refrained from doing so - it's part and parcel of being a follower of Jesus. The problem occurs if they are seeking to get earthly honour or reward from it. God would not reward them, for they have already gained their reward in this life! There is a real sense of disapproval about this comment, not one I think that we would wish to encounter from God.

Secondly Jesus looks as prayer. He does not say "You must pray", for he assumes they do pray! The preacher Charles Spurgeon once said "A prayerless soul is a Christless soul". Prayer, as with giving to those in need, is to be done quietly. Our prayers of thanksgiving, or of help, or of confession, are for God alone. It is He who will grant a reward. We should particularly note that there is hope for those who have very busy lives, though there should be times when busyness is not an excuse. What do I mean? Well prayers are not measured by the metre or yard, they are measured by their weight, that is their truth and their sincerity, and God accepts them, however brief they are!

Father-God,
You see the secrets of our heart,
and know the reasons why we act.
So help us to act with good intent,
without the need for acknowledgement
or acclamation by the world,
so that others can benefit,
but we may stay in the background.
So too, help us to continue praying quietly,
for Your world and its people,
and let this be the cornerstone of our faith.
Amen.