Lessons from Matthew 6: The Needy
Continuing with our topic of true worship, let’s talk about the needy and who they are. The needy are those who are emotionally, mentally, physically, financially, or spiritually in need of help. They are those individuals who would not be able to make it or survive without the living, helping hands and heart of God through another person.
The Needy
The religious leaders were to not only give out the law but also to help those in need. And apparently they did so in order that they, and not God, might receive the recognition.
These indeed were “acts” of devotion, as the word “hypocrite” clearly points out. The Greek word translated as hypocrite originally meant “an actor who wears a mask; one who is disguised as someone he or she is not; one who masquerades around as another.”
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 tells us,
“For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.”
A hypocrite deliberately uses religion to cover up their sins and promote their own gain. These religious leaders acted as though they cared and gave out of pretense. They did it to feed their own pride, to fill their own ego, and so that others would take notice.
We as Christians must not be fooled by those who appear to look good on the outside. Jesus said it’s an inward work of the Holy Spirit, and our motive in giving to God or to others should always be that God and not ourselves receive the glory that is due to His name.
Everything we have is His. All we have to give in the first place has come from His hand and He has intended it to be used for His glory and others’ good.
Now that does not mean that we do not take care of ourselves and our family, but it does mean we don’t hoard up treasures for ourselves or promote our giving with the wrong attitude or motives. When we give as God designed for us to give, then and only then will we store up for ourselves treasures in heaven.
As Christians we are all called to give ourselves first to God as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, as Romans 12:1 says, for “…this is your true and proper worship.”
So the question is, have you given yourself to God through Jesus Christ? Have you confessed your need for a Savior?
If so, then it is your spiritual act of worship to give yourself fully over to Him in every way!
To give Him your time, your talents and your resources.
To know Him and what He desires for you and from you.
To gain His wisdom and discernment and to seek to please Him above man.
To give of yourself as He calls, wherever that may be.
It may be you have been asked to serve in your church and you are hesitant to commit yourself fully to God in this way. Don’t let your gift of salvation be in word only; let it also be in deed. Give out of your time and your talents and resources, out of a heart of love and devotion to please Him above your selfish desires.
Or maybe you’ve been asked to start a Bible study at your work or in your neighborhood. No, you don’t do it unto man but rather unto God who sees and knows your heart and mind.
Christians are also called by God to give generously, without measure, forgiveness, kindness, love, and mercy just to name a few. Who is it that needs one of these from you? And when you do it, do it as unto the Lord and not unto man, and then great will be your reward in heaven.
Nothing you do as a child of God goes unnoticed or unrewarded by your Father in heaven.
How will you be used by God to bless another by giving whatever it is that God has required of you?
Know that though you may not see all the blessings of that giving here, you will be pleasantly surprised that it did not go unnoticed by the One who counts the most on that great and mighty day! For we will all stand before Him one day and reap the rewards of our spiritual labor here on earth.
I pray that you receive a storehouse of treasure in heaven because of your obedience to God while here on earth. Remember you can never out-give God. I dare you to try!
Terri Hamman
Faith & Fitness Coach