Gold Plated Glory
Matthew 6:1-4 NKJV
1 "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
Not to be unkind, but you don't want to invest too much into anything that is gold-plated. Gold plating has the ability to lose its surface material and wind up looking pretty cheap. And it's just not real. It's fake gold. If you happen to love that look, then by all means go for it. But if you can get the real thing…
The reason I call this devotional "Gold Plated Glory" is something Jesus kept referring to in our verses for today. Jesus spoke of charitable giving. And He said there was two ways to give. Giving before men and giving in secret before God. Jesus said giving in secret was the very best. When you give in secret, God sees and God rewards. Now contrast that giving with the hypocrites. These individuals would sound a trumpet before they gave, making sure everyone saw their generosity. Jesus said these people had their reward, but it was not from God. Their reward was receiving glory from other people. That is gold-plated glory. It's not real and doesn't last.
Jesus continued this theme of before God or before men further as He spoke of praying to be seen by men and fasting to be seen by men. Jesus was not a fan of religious activity done as a performance for others. His constant was do what you do before God for His eyes and not for other people so that they think you are amazing. Give, pray, and fast in secret and God rewards openly. Give, pray, and fast to be seen by men, and being seen by men is all the reward you get. So, you tell me, what reward do you prefer?
Application
This passage does not mean you have to give anonymously. What Jesus is speaking of is the heart behind what we do. Do we give to be seen by others or to honor God? When we do things to be seen by others, then the applause of man is all we get. And man's applause fades fast. But if we do what we do from the heart to honor God and bless others, then God sees and rewards and honors. And when God honors and rewards, the effect is long-lasting and satisfying.
In our very visibility-oriented selfie culture, doing things to be seen by others is becoming the norm. But it still doesn't mean it's successful in God's eyes. It takes a level of faith to do something to honor God and skip what people think. But when God honors, when God glorifies, it's the real deal.
Prayer
Being seen by You, Father, is enough for me. I seek the honor that comes from You only.