Through The Bible in a Year - June 8, 2026

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven... When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing... When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret... When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others." - Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

If you can't measure up to God's perfect standard, maybe you can make it up with your performance?

Give generously! Pray fervently! Fast faithfully!

But Jesus says: "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father."

When you give, don't sound a trumpet. Don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

When you pray, don't stand on street corners to be seen. Go into your room and shut the door.

When you fast, don't look gloomy so everyone knows how holy you are. Wash your face and anoint your head.

Your generosity, your prayers, your fasting—if they're done to be seen by others, you've already received your reward. Human applause. That's it.

This is devastating. Not only can we not measure up to the standards of God, we can't make it up by our performance.

It's not about how you compare to others. "Men look on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart."

Are you more interested in God's purpose or your reputation? Do you want others to think highly of you, or do you want to genuinely serve God?

If you can't measure up and you can't make it up, where does that leave you?

Broken. Absolutely broken.

And that's exactly where Jesus wants you. Because broken people cry out for help.

Examine your motives this week:

• Giving: When you give, is part of you hoping someone will notice? Hoping your generosity will be recognized? Hoping God will "owe" you because of your faithfulness?

• Praying: When you pray publicly, are you praying to God or performing for people? Would your prayer change if no one was listening?

• Serving: When you serve in church or the community, are you serving God's purposes or building your reputation?

Jesus isn't saying don't give, don't pray, don't serve. He's saying: check your heart. God sees in secret. He knows your motives. And He only rewards what's done for His glory, not yours.

This week, do one act of service that no one will ever know about. Give something anonymously. Pray in secret. Serve without telling anyone.

And feel the freedom of serving for God's glory alone.

Prayer: Father, I confess I've been performing for people. I've wanted to be seen as generous, prayerful, faithful. I've wanted applause, recognition, reputation. But You see my heart. You know my motives. Forgive me for making my service about me instead of You. Help me give in secret, pray in secret, serve in secret—for Your eyes only. I don't want human applause. I want Your reward. In Jesus' name, Amen.