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Wednesday 3 January 2018

CROWD PLEASERS

Solid Rock Devotional
3rd January, 2018

CROWD PLEASERS

So  when  you  give  to  the  needy,  do  not  announce it  with  trumpets,  as  the  hypocrites  do  in  the synagogues(churches) and  on  the  streets,  to  be  honored  by others.  Truly  I  tell  you,  they  have  received  their reward  in  full.  Matthew 6:2

The question this morning is *" Do we as Christians sincerely follow this teaching of Christ?"* There are many Christian gatherings today where offerings are announced for people to know how much money individuals give as their offerings. I recently visited an unusual church where the treasurer stepped up to the  platform, and  told  the  congregation that  giving  was down.  When  the  offering  bag  went  around,  he  said everyone was to announce out loud how much they were putting in the bag.

He  then  proceeded  to  write  the  amount  each  member  reported by  their  name  for  their  records.  As  the bag went  around  people began to speak their amounts. ‘One Cedi,’  said  one.  Another  said, in a louder voice, ‘Five Cedis.’ Then another, even louder, ‘twenty Cedis.’  I  noticed  that  people  began  to  get  louder  and  more  expressive as  the Cedi values went up.

I  found  it  unusual  though  amusing,  but  Jesus  had  something  to say  specifically  about  this  in  Matthew  6.  Quite  simply  Jesus said *"don’t  do that."*  Our  giving  is  to  be  so  secret  that  you,  ‘do  not  let  your  left hand  know  what  your  right  hand  is  doing’  (Matt 6:3).

If  we  are after  peoples’  applause,  we  will  get  our  reward  in  full  here  and now, the idea other people think we are generous, but will have no reward from heaven. But when we act before God alone, we are investing  with  returns  that  will  come  back  to  bless  us  sometimes when we least expect it.

Kindly ask yourself these two questions and sincerely answer them in your chamber.
 *1. Do we live before men, or before God?*
 *2. Are your deeds of service for those watching, or for God?*

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help us to adhere to your teachings in Jesus name....Amen

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: John 1:35-51

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