How do you and I measure a person's worth? By one's station in life? The kind of car one drives? One's address or the elaborateness of one's home? What kind of job one holds or what one has done in the past? The level of one's education? Are we tempted to focus on the number of conquests that someone has made in their personal life, in business or the number of spiritual gifts one claims? Can we be 100 percent certain that our perception is completely accurate if we only measure by outward appearances? Absolutely not!
In Matthew's Gospel, these words of Jesus are recorded: "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogue and on the streets to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not left your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be done in secret. Then, your [heavenly] Father, who see what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:1-4 NIV)
We human beings hunger for recognition from our friends and our families. It is true that I have enjoyed being in the spotlight or holding positions of leadership. What is also very true is that being in the spotlight or holding a position of leadership does not define who I am or put me in a better stead with God than anyone else. In the same chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew, Jesus is further quoted as saying: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21 NIV)
Throughout my lifetime, church parishioners, family and friends have related their spiritual gifts, contributions to the church, or "Christian" viewpoints on politics and world affairs. Quite often, there are a number of questions burning within me that I want to pour forth in response to them. For example, one I have used in sermons more than a few times. "What have you done to reach out to the unchurched family living across from the church?" Given our current economic stresses, how about this question: "Have you invited your neighbors who have lost their jobs to dinner? Did you ask if there was anything you could do to help them?" Does anyone think about how they might assist a family or an individual who might be losing their home due to foreclosure? Is there anything more that we can do besides say "Isn't it a shame" and go on our way to our comfortable home and close out the world?
Praying for our country, for world peace and for family members and strangers is great. There is no mistaking the power of prayer. As people of faith we need to back up our faith and our prayers with actions. Otherwise, our prayer becomes simply a show. Again, in Matthew chapter 6, Jesus teaches his disciples: "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then, your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." (Matthew 6:5-8 NIV)
Another year is upon us. It is hard to believe that after midnight it will be 2010 and the calendar has already changed in more than half the world. Once again, each of us will face challenges and opportunities. One of the greatest challenges we will ever face is to remember that a person's worth is not determined by their earthly possessions or outward deeds. Our greatest accomplishments will likely not be published in a newspaper or broadcast on television. Those things which we do to put our faith in action may may only be reocgnized by our God. Whatever we do, may it be done to the glory of God!
-DB Turnmire
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