“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. ”
Matthew 6:1 (NASB)
A cursory reading of this passage might lead you to believe that Jesus is condemning all public ministry. This however is not what the Lord is getting at. As believers we are called to be salt to the earth (Matt 5:13). We are also called to let our light shine before me. (Matt 5:16) The words of Christ do not condemn the public works of Christians but they do condemn public works that are done out of a desire for public praise. We are to do all things as unto the Lord and with the sole motivation of glorifying not ourselves but Christ (1 Cor. 10:31).
Questions for application…
Is all public ministry wrong?
What should the proper motivation be for ministering to others?
What does Christ say will happen to those who minister only to be noticed by men ?
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