Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples, “Be you therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”, and he continued, “take heed that you do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise you have no reward of your Father which is in heaven”. In chapter six and verse two of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples, “when you do your alms, do not sound a trumpet before you” where we read:
Therefore when you do your alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, 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.
The verse reads, “Therefore when you do your alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, ...” Matthew began with the word, “therefore” which means “then, accordingly, consequently and these things being so” “when you do your alms” which means “at the time and moment you pity, give mercy, charity, benefaction and donation to the poor”, “do not sound” which refers to “do not blow or blast” “a trumpet” or “a trumpet instrument” “before you” which means “in front and before the disciples”, “as the hypocrites do” which refers to “like or in the manner the actors, stage players, dissemblers and pretenders perform and produce” “in the synagogues” or “within the assemblies, gatherings and contracting of assembled Jesus who are formally gathered together to offer prayers and listen to the reading and expositions of the scriptures” “and in the streets” which means “and within the lane, trail and tract of way in a town shut in by buildings on both sides”. Jesus told His disciples not to “blow a trumpet” before them like “stage players and actors” do within the “synagogues and streets” of the city.
The verse continues, “... that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” Matthew added the words, “that they man have glory” which means “so the people who give by sounding a trumpet before them may be praised and honored” “of men” or “by people whether male or female”. “Verily” which means “truly and surely” “I say” or “Jesus declared, uttered and proclaimed” “unto you” which refers to “to the disciples”, “they have their reward” or “the people who give just to be seen of others have already received their wages and hire”. Jesus shared how people who “announce” or “play a trumpet” before others to be “praised and honored” by them have already received their “reward”.
When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see Jesus' instruction not to “give” like “hypocrites” who love to let people know they are great benefactors. Many people “give” to the poor or other causes that are great , however, they want to be known for “giving”. Their “reward” is the “ooo” and “ahhh” of people when they hear about how much they give. Jesus said that is their “reward”, and the “glory, praise and credit” from people is all they shall ever get. God desires a relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they relate to Him, they shall “give their alms” in such a secret manner that only God sees, and He bless them abundantly for doing so.
Next time we see Jesus tell His disciples, “let not your left hand know what your right hand does”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
No comments:
Post a Comment