Today's discussion question: What other good deeds could do in secret?
Why do we practice our religion? Why do we worship through prayer and singing? Why do we give to "charity" or offer our time in service?
If you sit in a basket of dirty laundry in your private closet for quiet time, then God bless you. But we cannot get hung up on a legalistic reading of Jesus' teaching here. Doesn't he call for us to direct our worship and service to the One who can "reward" us?
And, we must be careful not to disdain Jesus' teaching as a simplistic Pavlovian behavior modification. Humans need affirmation and "pay-off" for their labors. It matters a great deal from whom we receive the pay off. The teen who fills the need to belong in a gang destroys their own life. The adult buried under debt so their standard of living appears to match their neighbors serves the wrong master.
From the positive side: God wants to celebrate your growth in his character! No one judges the child who looks in the stands to see if mom and dad noticed their athletic success. Why shouldn't we enjoy God's delight in our imitation of him?
What do you think?
Tell us about your hopes & goals for 40 Days 'Till Easter.
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