Matthew Six

"...they have received their reward in full"
-----Matthew 6:2,5,16

"then Your Father...will reward you."
-----Matthew 6:6,18

Jesus is dealing with a major pitfall that we humans tend to suffer from...THE DESIRE FOR PRAISE FROM OTHERS. He identifies three areas people of his day tended to do this in Matthew 6. In their dealings with the needy, in their prayers, in their fasting. We can tend to do it in very similar ways.

What stuck out was as Jesus spoke about rewards the tense changes dramatically. When we do things for the praise of fellow man the reward we receive is paid in full ('paid' being a past tense word). I find this to be true... we live in a 'what have you done for me lately' society. The rewards of yesterday seem quickly forgotten.

However, when we pursue the praise of our Heavenly Father we will receive a blessing ('will' being in the future tense). I think we are talking about the continuing blessing of His presence in both the present and the future tense. This is great news. His blessings will only get better as we near the day when He let's us see His Full Glory.

The praise of men is as fleeting as junior high girls friendships.
The glory of God transcends all era's, societies and circumstance.

"Father, thank You for the reward being worth the wait."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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