Unreligious: Week 4 - Day 2
OPENING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, thank you for all you have given me. For every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17, NIV). Help me to keep my eyes on you, today and every day.
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. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.”
REFLECT:
Many non-profit organizations and universities hold large capital giving campaigns when they need to construct massive buildings for their purposes. These campaigns are often started with significant donors contributing thousands or even millions of dollars to the project. These same donors may then be recognized by having that same building named after themselves or a loved one, in honor of the large gift they have made. Then there may even be opportunities to donate still large, but smaller amounts of money, with the option to have your name placed on a brick that will be part of a wall of that building. You see, organizations appeal to donors based on their purposes and goals, but they try to attract significant gifts by “recognizing” these generous individuals.
In the verse we read today, Jesus is telling us to do good things without recognition on this earth. The hypocrites Jesus is referring to were proud to be able to give larger sums of money that would bring great attention to themselves. The priests and congregations of that day were grateful for large donors and eager to bestow praise on them. Do we regard people differently today for their resources? Do we give wealthy individuals more attention and care than those who are not rich? When we do things without earthly recognition, it helps keep us grounded and focused on the one we are truly trying to help…not ourselves. So, listen to Christ’s words and keep your gifts and good deeds on ‘the down low,’ as the phrase goes.
APPLY:
Take this challenge today. Go to the store and purchase a few restaurant gift cards. Ask the Lord to lead you to individuals who may be in great financial need. If you can approach them and feel led to give them one or more of these gift cards, that will be such a blessing…now the trick. If you can do it anonymously, then you put into practice what Jesus is sharing about in today’s verse. Not only will you feel good about being a blessing to someone else, but you will sow seeds in the lives of people who will be truly blessed and possibly be leading them to pursue Christ. You will please your heavenly father who will continue to use you to further his kingdom here on this earth.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord God, help me to live by the words of Matthew 6:33, NIV, to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Thank you, for showing me through your death on the cross, that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Amen.