Second’s Appearance
Looking Good

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 6:1-4

Key Verse:  Matthew 6:1

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Jesus reminds us that it is human to want others to look at our good works and be impressed with us.  But for believers who determine to be second, we must live our lives in a way to help others be impressed with Jesus, not us.  Jesus warns us to be careful in how we go about doing good deeds.  We are to take caution not to push ourselves into first.  Those who want to live in second want to live for our Father in heaven’s reward.  If I allow my flesh to win, allowing people to pat me on the back, I lose my reward from my Father.

            Jesus got real specific about those who are willing to be second.  When we do good deeds, we are not to allow our left hand to know what our right hand is doing.  Wow!  That is really operating in secret.  Jesus is driving His point home: don’t seek the applause of men.  God knows our hearts and sees our prime motivation for doing good.  It is always true that our flesh is present and pushing personal benefit, but we must keep our works as secret as possible and not allow the flesh to win its prize of being first.  Remember, “I am second” must be our motto.  Life is not about us; it is about Jesus and the eternal kingdom of God.  Our lives are to shine a continual spotlight on the King of kings.  He is first!

Father, show me what kind deeds I can do today to help someone around me.  I will do it in a way to shine on you not me.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.