Rewards: Now or Later?

Matthew 5:14-16

Read: Mt. 5:14-16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Let's compare a couple of Scripture passages. We talked, last week, about the importance others seeing our works. Let's look at another portion of Scripture in the very next chapter.

Read: Mt. 6:1-4

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them:

Is this a contradiction? NO! Anytime we find something in the Scripture that appears to be a contradiction, we need to study a bit more and discover what we are missing. What are we missing when we compare these two passages?

Mt. 5:14-16 is talking about the 'act' Mt. 6:1-4 is talking about the 'motive'

I. Note the warning: 'Take heed…' v1

• The Lord is warning us in this area…the area of 'alms' or good works.
• That our 'alms' are not done before men or to be seen of them.
• Three secret services are to be done for the Lord without desire of outward praise:
1. Alms giving, Mt 6:1-4
2. Praying, Mt 6:6
3. Fasting, Mt 6:17,18.
• Don't put them on display for personal praise or acknowledgement.

(John 12:43) "For they (the Pharisees) loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."

• To do so, means we will have no reward in heaven. "…otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven."
• Rewards are important…Paul said, " So run, that ye may obtain." 1 Co. 9:24b
• There are several Crowns mentioned in Scripture:
1. Of glory. 1 Peter 5:4
2. Of incorruption. 1 Cor. 9:25
3. Of life. James 1:12; Rev. 2:10
4. Of rejoicing. 1 Thes. 2:19-20
5. Of righteousness. 2 Tim. 4:8
6. Of the soul-winner. 1 Thes. 2:19-20

II. Example of Lost Rewards. v2

• Don't embarrass the person or persons of your alms giving by calling attention to such before the public.
• It is bad enough to be poor, or in need because of some affliction, without being demeaned by having public attention focused on you.
• Those that do such, have their reward (but it is not from God in heaven)

III. How to Work and Not Lose Reward v3-4

"But when thou doest alms…"

• It is assumed that every child of God is a charitable and compassionate person who will give of themselves.
• Our righteous acts should be a part of our character…they should be as automatic as anything else that we do.
• They should not be done with fanfare or announcement.
1. When I reach for my pen, I don't announce that I am doing it.
2. I don't say to my left hand, "I am going to use my right hand for this task today."
3. I just do it…I don't stop and analyze it, or wonder about it…I certainly don't stop to see if someone is watching…I just do it!
4. That is how we are "Let our light shine before men" .
5. I don't have to announce to the world that I am going to do something right… I will simply do it!
• Secret works (or private works) done will be seen by the One who sees all!
1. He Himself is in secret, acts in secret, and approves things done in secret when they are good, and come from a right motive.
2. He will give back to us or reward us openly.
3. Note: Lu 6:38

(Luke 6:38) "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

4. Note: Mt 25:34-40

"When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?"

5. When we give of ourselves, we prosper, in this world and the world that is to come.