What 3 things does Jesus warn us against?
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned against 3 things—specifically, about doing 3 things for the wrong reason. Do you know what they are?
Number One—Jesus warned against giving for the wrong reason.
In Matthew 6:2, Jesus said:
“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”
So, number one—Do not give to be honored by others.
Number Two—Jesus warned against praying for the wrong reason.
In Matthew 6:5, Jesus said:
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”
Are you beginning to hear some similarities in these warnings? Number two is: Do not pray to be seen by others.
Number Three—Jesus warned against fasting for the wrong reason.
In Matthew 6:16, Jesus said:
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”
Number three is: Do not fast to impress others.
All three of these things—giving, praying, and fasting—are meant to give God glory, not bring us glory. Everyone who does these things for their own glory has already received their reward. But when we do them for the right reason—God's glory—we will have a far better reward from our Father in heaven. The praises of men are temporary, but the rewards from God are everlasting!
The praises of men are temporary, but the rewards from God are everlasting!
1 Corinthians 10:31
“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”