The trumpets blow when a king enters a room. It’s all pomp and circumstance, and all notice is on the royal crown.
Or attend a wedding. Everyone stands at the wedding march. The bride is the center of attention, and the attendees are focused on her as she walks down the aisle.
Even at high school football games, we do the same. The band bleats out the fight song as the team runs onto the field, and we stand and cheer. It’s a way to ramp up the excitement in hopes of a win.
How about our Christian endeavors? Should we toot our horns to make sure our righteousness is noticed by everyone?
Jesus had a thing or two to share about that in Matthew 6:1-5. Let’s break it down.
“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.” (Verse 1)
If our expectation is in the fanfare, we’ve been rewarded in the present moment; or we can receive a greater reward when we pass through the Pearly Gates. The choice is ours. We decide.
“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.” (Verse 2)
We should offer our gifts without the need to be noticed. It’s about the satisfaction of giving from the heart and not from the pride that pats us on the back.
“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” (Verse 3)
Our giving should be personal and intimate. It must come from our desire to offer aid, not from our need to receive recognition.
“So that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Verse 4)
The best motivation comes from the heart; and the ultimate satisfaction is one of pleasure at seeing the excitement on another’s face. Their gratitude is greater when the giver could be anyone.
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.” (Verse 5)
Our Christian walk isn’t about material rewards, houses, cars, and social status. It’s about modeling our lives after Christ. He neither had nor wanted any of those things, and his example is the one we’re to follow.
When we need the fanfare, that’s all we’re going to get. When we desire the Lord, he will fill us with everlasting peace in our hour of need.
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Code: FGO.I.22.17f.vp.esv