"DON'T BE A POSER" MATTHEW 6:1-18

I once knew a soccer goalie who made every save look like it was the most incredible save ever made. In fact, an opposing player could lob the ball into his chest and he would throw his feet towards the top corner of the goal and then catch the ball. I have to admit - it usually looked really cool. However, we all knew that he was only posing for the cameras - he was a total "poser". The sad thing was the he had the ablity to be a really good goalie. However, he clearly cared more about looking good than doing his job.

Posers are all over and in all avenues of life. Surely, we have all known Christian posers or even have been guilty of posing at some point in our own lives. Jesus warns against being a poser. Initially, He says that we must be better or more righteous than the Pharisees and the Scribes ( Matthew 5:20: For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.). Then Jesus stated bluntly in 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. Not wanting to leave any doubt as to what he was saying Jesus gave three specific examples in Matthew 6:2-4, 6:7-15, and 6:16-18.

How applicable are Jesus words and his warnings today? Do we ever come to services just to fill a pew or just to be seen in the pew? Do we ever perform an act of service so that others will pat us on the back? I know I have been guilty of all of these. If we care what those around us think, maybe we should try seeing ourselves as they see us and when doing so include how God sees us.

Jesus's challenge comes with consequences: be righteous doing all things for the righteous reason or - "...you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven"; and, "...you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."

What is your motivation for obeying God?

Additional Study: Matthew 23:5-28