What are Your Motives?

                                                         What are your motives?
                         Are your actions in vain? Or is there a greater purpose for them?

Matthew 6:1-4
1Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
 2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
 3But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
 4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.



Vocabulary:
Alms : money, food, or other donations given to the poor or needy; anything given as charity
Hypocrites:  a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.

Comments:
It’s nice to give to the poor. It’s nice to help those who need your help. However, if you do these things just to make yourself look good to your peers, your actions are in vain and don’t mean anything.  When you help others just to get a pat on the back, you have received your reward (your reward is looking good in front of man). When you give to the poor and give donations simply because you are trying to help someone in need, God will give you your reward openly. Your good deeds may or may not be noticed by your peers, but you should not be motivated to help the needy for pats on the back. You should give out of the goodness of your heart. And believe God recognizes your motives and will reward you accordingly.

Matthew 6: 5-8
5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
 6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
 7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
 8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Vocabulary:
Vain: excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities, achievements, etc. Without effect; to no purpose

Comments:
What is your reason for praying to God? Do you need something from the Lord or do you pray in vain? Are you praying simply to hear yourself talk? Are you praying in front of people just to be seen? Do your prayers have meaning? God knows your heart and sees the motives behind your prayers. The scripture says to pray in secret and not in front of men to gain attention. Now this does not speak against those who pray aloud in church or for the public. For those who pray aloud in the public, God will judge if whether you are praying for the good of the public or for the chance to be famous or to get attention. Make sure your prayers have meaning.

Pray this feeds your soul.

Love You All!

Sister Contesa Tate