The Daily Word: Thursday, January 7th, 2021
Genesis 16:1-18:15
Matthew 6:1-24
Psalm 7:1-17
Proverbs 2:1-5
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” – Matt. 6:5
Your audience provides your reward. If you do things out in the open so that everyone sees them, their praise is your reward. Your only reward. In other words, there will be no reward from God because you have betrayed to Him that He is not your real audience.
Think about what that means in modern church culture. We like to post on Facebook when we give money to the poor. We share pictures of the people we lead to the Lord!! As pastors we try to get the world to “like and share” our sermons instead of treating them as holy and sacred offerings unto God.
Today, I encourage you: whatever you do, do unto the Lord. The reward He can give will be far greater – of infinitely more consequence – than any reward or recognition you can gain here on earth.
Prayer:
Father, I love You. I trust You! And everything I do is to serve You. I pray that You would remove my need to be recognized. Remove my need for accolades and pats on the back! I will receive my reward from You and You alone, in Jesus’ name.
© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.