Give In Secret

February 15, 2018

Opening Hymns:
I Sought the Lord (http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh341.sht) /

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
6:1 "Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

6:2 "So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

6:3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

6:4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

6:5 "And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

6:6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

6:16 "And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

6:17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,

6:18 so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal;

6:20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.

6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Message:
As we enter this season of Lent, this scripture reminds us that when we are donating, fasting, or giving up something during this season, we must remember why we are doing it. If we do it to show off and brag to others about how good we are, our hearts are not in the right place. We should instead use this time and our sacrifices to draw closer to God.

As I ponder this scripture and look out at the world, I can’t help but question it this year. When I hear the news each day it can feel so dismal. It seems like there needs to be more stories of all the good that people are doing in the world too. They need to see kindness in action.

I know the scripture isn’t saying to hide our kindness from others. In fact, by fasting, giving, and sacrificing in secret the end goal is to draw closer to God. That closeness will reflect out in how we live our day to day lives. God tells us not to hide our light, but to let it shine (Matthew 5:15).

So, in this season of lent, remember that while we may pray, fast, donate, or give up things in secret, we still should openly show our kindness and God’s light to others. The world needs to see love and forgiveness. The world needs to remember there is goodness and grace.

Time of Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving us this season so that we are reminded to draw closer to you. As we reflect on Jesus’ ministry and sacrifice during these next 40 days, be with us. Guide our actions and motivations. Draw us closer to you so that we may in turn show others Your love and grace. Amen


The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
Nearer My God to Thee (http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh528.sht)


May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.
Go in peace, serve the Lord Thanks be to God