(See Matthew 6:1-6 and Matthew 6:16-18)
Hypocrites: scribes, Pharisees and ...us?
Ouch!
Isn't it strange that Jesus tells us to wash our faces when we fast so that nobody will know we are fasting, and then on Ash Wednesday, when we begin our season of fasting, we put ashes on our faces so that everybody will know we are fasting.
And even though Jesus tells us to keep our charitable giving a secret, we insist on plaques with our names on them, or the names of loved ones, to indicate to all that we gave the money!
And imagine giving presents on holidays and special occasions without a card indicating from whom it came.
And no thank-you notes!
Jesus teaches that simple acts of self-denial produce a kind of cosmic debt that is paid in the next life.
Or, we can seek our reward in this life in the form of respect and admiration from others. One corrupts and passes away, the other blesses and endures for ever.
True disciples, in contrast to the hypocrites, see that our generosity toward each other is not an obligation, it is an act of love, not duty; it’s done in glory and thanks to God, not to gain honor and credit for us.
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And...to add to that...
ReplyDelete2 Cor 9:6-11
Brothers and sisters, consider this:
whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion,for God loves a cheerful giver.