| The Ministry of Comfort |
Chapter 12 |
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Jesus proceeded in the same connection to say that when we do alms we should not let our left hand know what our right hand is doing, that our alms may be in secret. Then God alone can recompense us – and He will. Regarding prayer, too, the same counsel is given. There were those who made a show of their private devotions, performing them in some conspicuous place, in order that they might be seen of men, that men might regard them very devout. “They have their reward,” said Jesus. They get what they seek – they are seen of men, but they are not heard of God. Jesus exhorts that, avoiding this display of devoutness to attract men’s attention, His disciples should enter into their inner chamber when they pray and should shut their door and pray to the Father who seeth in secret. We are not to infer from this that no prayer ever should be made in public – public prayer is an important duty; the teaching is that all acts of devotion should never do anything in order to get human notice and commendation.
We may apply this teaching to all life. We are to live only to please God. Jesus said of Himself – and His mode of life was a pattern for us – “I do always those tings that please My Father.” He never wrought for human eye, but always for the divine approval. It mattered not to Him, therefore, whether any but God knew what He was doing. The prophet said of Him, “He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street,” and His life fulfilled this foretelling. If we can learn this lesson of living and working for God’s eye only, it will give us a wonderful sense of freedom, will exalt our ideal of life and duty, and will inspire us always to the best that we can do.
There is another phase of the same lesson. Not only should we do all our work for the divine approval, but we should not be careful to get our own name on what we do. If it is done solely for the honour of Christ, why should we be solicitous to have everybody know our part in it? Should it not be honour enough to have Christ accept our work and use it?
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