Instant Reward Christian | Sermon on the Mount

However, I’m impatient. I don’t want to wait that long. I prefer the instant reward I get when people acknowledge my good works. If I shovel snow for my neighbor, I hope she’s looking out the window and sees that I did it. If I give to an organization, I want a thank you. If my gift is exceptional, I might even expect some media attention. If I pray and fast, I drop hints about it so others know how spiritual I am. Of course, I desire God’s reward. Yet, I also desire man’s praise. But according to Jesus, I can’t have both:

“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.”[2]

These are difficult words for someone who thrives on praise. Part of the enjoyment of giving and doing is the gratitude I receive for the act. If I buy my friend an expensive gift and she’s not appreciative, I’m hurt or even offended. (Certainly, it is important to show appreciation and cultivate a heart of gratitude. That’s not the point.) The question is: What was my motivation? Did I buy the gift to impress my friend or to bless her?

Jesus words are also difficult for the writer in me. What do I say and what don’t I say, Lord? God has clearly encouraged me to pass on lessons he’s imparting to me. But, why do I write? Is it to serve, encourage, and edify others? Or is it to be seen and known and affirmed by others? If I’m motivated by the latter, I should expect no reward from my Father in heaven.

My heart regularly deceives me. Therefore, I need a regular heart check. Lord, why am I doing this? I can perform “acts of righteousness” for many reasons: to assuage guilt, to appease and please, to fulfill expectations, to win praise, to pay a debt, to garner notice, to feel better about myself, and on and on. How pure is my motive? The purest is love. I pray for you because I love you. Therefore, it doesn’t matter if you know about it or not. (I might tell you, not to make me look holy, but to encourage you.)

If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.[3]

Lord, you know my heart. God understands my often desperate need for approval. That’s why he is quick to remind me that I already have his approval (and his approval matters most). I am completely loved and accepted in Christ. In light of this, my heavenly Father encourages me to perform good deeds quietly, even secretly. He knows. He sees. He will reward every good work.[4] It may not be an instant reward, but it will last for all eternity.

Taking it further …

• “I Want it Now” with Veruca Salt. What brings out the “Veruca” in you?
• Is there a gift you can give Jesus secretly this Christmas?