Devotion for Today “Looking Good” Matthew 6:1-5
I read this story from a pastor’s sermon recently: “At the department store where I worked during seminary, we had a policy of "Free Shipping" for our customers. There were, however, a couple of restrictions on that policy. First, the item must be within certain weight limits. It can't weigh more than 5 pounds. Second, the order must be shipped within the Continental US; it can't go to Alaska, Hawaii, or a foreign country.On one occasion, a salesperson deliberately broke that rule in order to "look good" to a customer. He sold about 3 dozen sets of mini-blinds to a customer, and gave the customer "Free Shipping," despite the fact that the total order weighed in at nearly 70 pounds . . . and was being shipped to Alaska!”
The pastor went on to report that the total cost of shipping for which the store was responsible came to nearly $200 - more than the cost of the order itself! The store lost a lot of money on that sale . . . all because one salesperson was more concerned with PLEASING someone than with doing the right thing. The moral of the story? It's not profitable to only be concerned with pleasing others or looking good, or even trying to impress others.
Christ addressed this issue in Matthew 6:1-4 as it concerned “charitable contributions”:
1. Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.2. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.3. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4. That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.5. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
Jesus openly repudiated the motives of those who are more concerned about looking good and impressing others even while they were “doing good.” Not in the world; and certainly not in the kingdom of God not when Jesus made it patently clear to us that his message would not be a crowd-pleaser; not when Jesus demonstrated with his own trial and execution that the gospel message, when presented in its fullest, purest form, is an out-and-out offense to others. Being profitable for Christ is not about personal success. It's not about everyone being comfortable with me; it's about everyone being confronted with Him.
Prayerfully examine what you do today. Is it for the glory of God, and if so, would you do it if nobody saw you to give you the praise or credit? Ask the Lord to help you become less impressed with yourself, and more impressed with Him. Then you will really be “looking good.”
Have a blessed day!
I read this story from a pastor’s sermon recently: “At the department store where I worked during seminary, we had a policy of "Free Shipping" for our customers. There were, however, a couple of restrictions on that policy. First, the item must be within certain weight limits. It can't weigh more than 5 pounds. Second, the order must be shipped within the Continental US; it can't go to Alaska, Hawaii, or a foreign country.On one occasion, a salesperson deliberately broke that rule in order to "look good" to a customer. He sold about 3 dozen sets of mini-blinds to a customer, and gave the customer "Free Shipping," despite the fact that the total order weighed in at nearly 70 pounds . . . and was being shipped to Alaska!”
The pastor went on to report that the total cost of shipping for which the store was responsible came to nearly $200 - more than the cost of the order itself! The store lost a lot of money on that sale . . . all because one salesperson was more concerned with PLEASING someone than with doing the right thing. The moral of the story? It's not profitable to only be concerned with pleasing others or looking good, or even trying to impress others.
Christ addressed this issue in Matthew 6:1-4 as it concerned “charitable contributions”:
1. Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.2. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.3. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4. That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.5. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
Jesus openly repudiated the motives of those who are more concerned about looking good and impressing others even while they were “doing good.” Not in the world; and certainly not in the kingdom of God not when Jesus made it patently clear to us that his message would not be a crowd-pleaser; not when Jesus demonstrated with his own trial and execution that the gospel message, when presented in its fullest, purest form, is an out-and-out offense to others. Being profitable for Christ is not about personal success. It's not about everyone being comfortable with me; it's about everyone being confronted with Him.
Prayerfully examine what you do today. Is it for the glory of God, and if so, would you do it if nobody saw you to give you the praise or credit? Ask the Lord to help you become less impressed with yourself, and more impressed with Him. Then you will really be “looking good.”
Have a blessed day!
1 comment:
Good day Rev. Russell,
Would you mind passing your friend's details on to me? It's just that I live in Hawaii and have some very heavy items I need shipping.
Thanks most kindly, sir.
Peace,
Bob
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