"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." Matthew 6:1
A few nights ago, Zack had to work late in the evening. So I came up with a brilliant idea that I would rush home from work and do all these special things for him while he was gone. I scurried home from work, stopped by the grocery store to get a few of his "favorites", started a load of laundry, washed a load of dishes, changed the sheets on the bed, straightened up his den, did some light dusting and vacuuming, made him some of his favorite drinks (pink lemonade and tea) and lit a candle that sent a sweet aroma around the house.
I did all of these things, thinking all the while in my head, "Zack is going to love this. He is going to walk in the door and be so appreciative and hug and kiss me and give me all this praise. He is going to be SO impressed with me." When he did arrive home later that evening, tired, sore and dirty, he was very appreciative, but after I TOLD him everything I did.
Then Sunday morning rolled around, and our pastor, Dr. Ezell, preached on the above passage from Matthew 6:1. Can we say, "C-O-N-V-I-C-T-I-O-N????" Oh, how I had failed as a wife!!!
As Jesus says, we are to do all things to glorify God! We are not to do things for men to see us and praise us, but we are to do things for God, to bring honor to him!!! It says it in the scripture right there...if you are doing things to please man, "...you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."
I learned that doing those things are already my responsibilites as a wife. I should have been doing them to glorify the Lord, and be the best wife he commands me to be.
Not solely doing them to recieve praise from my husband.
Remember Matthew 6:1 today as you do your daily activites. Do them to honor and glorify God and not try to impress others!
