"Be especially careful when you're trying to be good
so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater but
the God who made you won't be applauding" Matt. 6:1.
Can you imagine if Jesus, like some people today, insisted
on His name being attached to public edifices. The Pool of Bethesda could be
re-branded to the Jesus Miracle Healing Waters Pool. On the road to Jairus'
house there could be a star in the street like those in Hollywood .
"Jesus, Healer of Female Infirmities." Let's not forget the cliff in
the Gadarenes area, the famous "Jesus' Pig Drop Zone." A good portion
of Israel and
the surrounding area could have sported His moniker if He were so inclined.
I appreciate the practice of honoring generous benefactors,
but I wonder. Would some give so liberally if they weren't recognized and
lauded now and into perpetuity? With time, the name on the facade becomes just
that...a name. The significance gets lost.
Jesus believed it important that we know His kingdom operates
differently. Our underlying motives are more important than our outward
actions. To drive home the point, Jesus focused on the hot buttons favored by
the religious folks of His day: giving, praying and fasting.
The Babylon Bee is this generation's version of The
Wittenberg Door; a great source of Christian satire. No one is immune, they
poke fun across all denominational lines. Read it long enough and you'll wince.
Recently their "news" article centered around the
angst associated with electronic contributing. An un-identified male took
advantage of his church's online giving option. However, he began to experience
paranoia when the collection plate was passed. He perceived his fellow
parishioners noticed that he didn't put anything in and feared he was garnering
a reputation for stinginess. He felt the penetrating glares of disapproval from
the folks plunking their money in the basket. Who knew giving online in the
privacy of one's home could be so stressful?
The story is a complete fabrication, but it depicts the
point that Jesus made. Putting money in the plate at church, and even online,
strictly for the purpose of being recognized is giving with the wrong motive.
Most people really don't care. If they do, they're the ones with a problem.
Only One needs to know and He doesn't miss anything.
People are the same. Jesus' society applauded the success
stories, hero-worshipped celebrities and left the average person scrambling for
a scrap of the limelight. Some in Judaism emulated popular culture. With demonstrative
public acts of generosity, prayer and fasting they competed for the title of
"Most Righteous Person." Jesus, however, already had sole ownership
of that designation and refused to play along with their game. He wants His
followers to do the same.
We like to feel appreciated, especially if we've sacrificed.
Receiving heart-felt thanks is perfectly acceptable. Turning something into a
self-promotional event is another matter. The Kingdom
of God
How about you? How do the perceptions of others affect your
actions. When it comes to what you do, how do you deal with the urge for
notoriety? What self-imposed boundaries keep your ego in check? How much and
what, if anything, would you change if God didn't care about our motives?
So good! Thanks, I needed that.
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