21 Days of Selfess LivingNäide

Immediately after the part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount that we read yesterday (about loving our enemies), Jesus tells us to be careful about making a performance of our generosity, prayer, and care for others.

Read Matthew 6:1-4.

Jesus isn’t saying that our faith should be a secret. At the beginning of the same sermon, he says, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:14-16) Jesus is drawing our focus to our motivations and toward where we look for our approval.

Questions to consider:

• When I help someone or when I serve at church, am I trying to get approval or affirmation from someone?
• Do I need attention to make serving seem worthwhile? Why is that?
• Are there parts of my relationship with God that are only between me and God? What are they?

An action step to take:

Think of a dirty job that you usually avoid but needs to be done and commit to doing it today.

Serve without drawing attention to yourself and check in with God afterward (instead of sharing it with someone else).

One way I chose to live selflessly today: