I have learned that when the Bible repeats a phrase more than once that we should take note because I believe God is trying to show us something of great importance. While reading (Matthew 6), which is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, I came across the following words which Jesus repeats three times: “your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6: 4, 6, 18). The context in these three verses concerns when we give, when we pray, and when we fast.
The point that Jesus is making here is that the religious leaders back then would often do these acts in order to be seen and honored by other people, rather than to give to help the needy, pray to advance God’s kingdom, and fast to draw closer to God. In each of these three cases Jesus calls these people hypocrites and that they will receive no reward for their behavior for we read: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1).
While God is concerned with our actions, He is just as concerned with our motives. In fact, when our motives are to bring attention to ourselves, rather than to bring glory to God, we may impress others but, not only do we displease the Lord, but we sacrifice the reward that God wants to bless us with.
And just what is this secret reward? I believe, it is the joy of knowing that you have been used, in some small way, to help advance the kingdom of God and to bring glory to the Father. I can think of no greater reward than this. Yes, man’s praise is nice, but nothing can compare with knowing that your actions are pleasing to the Lord. The things we do for the Lord now, when combined with the right motive, are sure to help us accumulate treasures in heaven and eternal dividends.
I love what A. W. Tozer once wrote: “As base a thing as money often is, it yet can be transmuted into everlasting treasure. It can be converted into food for the hungry, and clothing for the poor; it can keep a missionary actively winning lost men to the light of the gospel and thus transmute itself into heavenly values. Any temporal possession can be turned into everlasting wealth. Whatever is given to Christ is immediately touched with immortality.”1
My friends, when we give of our time, talent, and treasury for kingdom purposes there is just no telling how Christ will use our generosity. And for our reward, not only do we get great joy now but we are accruing an eternal weight of glory in heaven!
1 The Grace of Christian Giving | The Institute for Creation Research (icr.org)