your Father will reward you

Meditations from Matthew 6

"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

• Do I invite others to join me in what I am doing to serve in order to bless others, or so that others know what I am doing?

• Do I need a cheerleading squad to motivate me to do good, or am I willing to do good even if no one is watching?

• Do I mention where I've been or what we've been doing simply as a way of staying in touch and open, or as a means of image management?

• Do I give in order to leverage relationship, gain personal security, or feel worth?

• Do I fall back on my long mental list of good deeds done when I feel the need to prove myself, or have I done them and forgotten them, as we're commanded to?

"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

• Do I say I'll pray and I don't?

• Do I believe that God hears my prayer even if I am the only one praying it?

"But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

• Do I care more about appearing holy than actually being holy?

• Do I pursue holiness as a means to earthly gain or in obedience to the command to build the Kingdom of God?

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth."

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness."

A humbling call to lift my gaze heavenward, check my motives, and seek only eternal rewards and none here.