The First 15

Monday October 10, 2022

by Jan Davis

Today is Monday, October 10 and we are studying the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter six.

Opening Prayer

As I enter a time of prayer, I quiet my mind, slow my breathing and focus myself – body, mind and spirit on the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, I long to hear your voice! Speak to me and help me comprehend the wisdom and guidance you want to share with my soul. Open the ears of my heart to receive truth and gain understanding. Amen.

Scripture Reading

God laments for the suffering poor of this world and I cry out to Him with the words of Psalm 82.

Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. Psalm 82:3-4

Pause and Pray

The next section of the Sermon on the Mount has to do with purity of intention. What is at the root of my motivation for doing good? Why do I help the poor and the needy? Jesus encourages Christians to be righteous but for the right reasons. I am not to do good deeds and perform acts of service to gain the approval of other people, receive recognition or garner applause. I must serve those in need and give generously out of a sincere desire to help others and alleviate their suffering.

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:1-4

Reflection

In the time of Jesus, it was common for someone to blow a trumpet in public places like the marketplace when a religious leader arrived to distribute money to the poor. The proposed reason was to alert the needy people and call them together so that they could receive the alms. However the religious elite likely enjoyed this drawing of attention to themselves so that the rest of the public could notice their acts of generosity. They received notoriety and appreciation for their goodness and help. What are similar examples of that today?

Ask: When have I enjoyed recognition or approval for helping someone in need? Am I in the habit of giving to the poor and needy in secret or in public?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, make me aware of my need for recognition and my desire to gain the approval of others. Give me a heart of holy intentions and fill me with an authentic love for the poor and needy. Inspire me to give generously in a manner that is hidden and secret. I pray that my left hand will not even know what my right hand is doing. I read Matthew again, listening for the message You have for me today.

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:1-4

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

God wants to speak fresh words to me through Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. I endeavor to hear Him and practice listening attentively to the nudging voice of my Lord. Perhaps God wants me to grow in awareness of my deepest motivations and intentions. Maybe God wants me to increase my capacity for mercy and kindness. Perhaps God is about to provide me additional opportunities to share what I have with others. I pray God will put someone on my heart who is suffering, poor or in need and inspire me to respond in love.

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus Christ, I invite you into the depths of my heart to shine your light on the root of my motivations. Remove any need for attention, desire for approval or hope that my generosity will be noticed by others. Give me a heart of pure intentions to humbly serve others in anonymity, generously sharing Your great love with those in need. Amen.

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” Mark 10:21-23

Closing Prayer

I leave this time of prayer counting the abundance of my blessings. I go in the name of Jesus to bless others.

Amen

The First 15

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