“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. ” Matthew 6:1
This verse was part of the sermon text last Sunday. Is the point that we should always hide our good deeds, doing them only in secret? Well, that can’t be the case because it contradicts another verse in Matthew 5:16:
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
The point, as always goes to what is in your heart, your motivation. When we do good deeds, if our heart is in the right place, we do not want to be recognized as a “good person,” we want God to be recognized as our good and gracious Father. This lively hymn by Fanny Crosby expresses it well.
Lutheran Ladies Connection 