To Be Seen

Question: Is what you do for the most part for outward appearance or do you do your good deeds in secret?  Many of the Scribes and Pharisees and the teachers of the law ran into the problem of doing things to be seen by men.  They wanted people to look up to them like they were really something.  To learn more about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and the Torah scholars, read Matthew 23:1-36.  Jesus said in this chapter that these men did everything they did to be noticed by men.

I think most of us have fallen into this situation at one time or another.  I think it is easy to want to get the credit for what we do.  I think in many ways we are taught that one hand washes the other, in other words if you do this for me I will do such and such for you.  If we are believers we should do our alms, or good deeds, as unto the Lord so that others will see our good works and glorify our heavenly Father.  Now I want to make a distinction here before I go further and that is this, you are not saved by doing good works, the Word of the Lord is very clear about that, please read Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

This makes it very clear that no one can be saved because of any good deeds, or works, he or she may have done but it is only through God’s grace and faith.  It is also very clear that after we have repented and received Jesus as our Lord and Savior that there are good works that God prepared for us to do beforehand, please read verse 10 in that same chapter, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”   

As far as tithes and offerings are concerned, does anyone have to know if you give, or what you give?  I don’t think so, I think that is between you and the Lord and I think it should be done as discreetly as possible.  This is not meant to criticize anyone but I have been in a church where you had to go up front, in front of everyone, to put your tithe in a box or whatever they had there; is that to embarrass those that don’t give?  If that’s what it takes to get people to give, God would not be happy because God loves a cheerful giver.  Whoever gives, should be giving out of a grateful heart and not for any other reason.

There are plenty of good works for us to do after we are born-again and we should be about our Father's business.  I have heard it said that the only good work we can, or need to, do is witness; just sharing our faith with others, but that is only one way to do good works and that one is very important but so are the others.  

Please read James 2:14-26, “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”      

Yes it is important that we do good works, or deeds, but in a way that brings glory to God and not to us.  Like I said earlier don’t let the left hand know what the right hand is doing.  Enough said, I hope this has been an encouragement and a help to you.  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you all have a super day!!