130106 sm 13 clink clink ta da - matthew 6:1-4 (abridged)

CLINK, CLINK, TA DA!Matthew 6:1-4

THE DISCIPLE’S HANDBOOKStudies in the Sermon on the Mount

THE DISCIPLE’S HANDBOOK

Disciple’s Character

Code

Worship Economy

Relationships

Choices

THE DISCIPLE’S WORSHIPClink, Clink, Ta Da! (6:1-4)

Amen, Wow! (6:5-8)

A Model Prayer (6:9-15)

Grr! Ohhh! (6:16-18)

A GENERAL PRINCIPLEMatthew 6:1

Matthew 6:1

“Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you

will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

An apparent contradictionMatthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 6:1 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

The general principle is this:

If you perform religious acts to impress other people then you’ll miss God’s reward

Three Examples:

Giving

Praying

Fasting

OSTENTATIOUS GIVINGMatthew 6:2

Matthew 6:2

"So when you give to the needy, …

What “giving”?

Giving to people in need

Giving to the church

Pretty good show for a dollar!

Matthew 6:2

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. …

Trumpets! Really!

Hypocrites! Really!

Matthew 6:2

I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

Ostentatious Giving

• Publicized giving Action: • Done for man’s praiseMotive: • Paid in fullResult:

SECRET GIVINGMatthew 6:3-4

Matthew 6:3-4

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret.

Always “in secret”?

Mark 12:41-44Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on."

2 Corinthians 8:1-5And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.

2 Corinthians 9:2

For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.

Matthew 6:4

Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Proverbs 19:17

He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.

2 Corinthians 9:6, 11

Whoever sows generously will also reap generously. … 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion.

Philippians 4:18-19

I have received the gifts you sent. … 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Secret Giving

• Private givingAction: • To honor GodMotive: • Reward from GodResult:

THE WHAT AND THE WHYWhat you give only matters if your “why” is right!