Week 16, Day 4: The Lights of the World

Today’s Reading:  Matthew 7:1-8:34

Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…

In Matthew 5:14-16, Matthew records for us the teachings of Jesus as He relates the nature of the believer to the rest of the world.  We, as believers, are supposed to be the “light of the world.”  Sometimes, we may lose sight of what is meant by that, especially with the application that Jesus Himself makes in verse 16.  There, He tells us that we are to let our lights shine before men, so that they might be able to see our good works.  What some interpret this to mean is that we are supposed to be boastful about the good works that we do, so that others will make sure and take note of them them.  That is simply not the case, and is contrary to other Bible teachings.  For example, in Matthew 6:3, Jesus specifically says that when doing charitable deeds, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.  That is, we should not be trying to broadcast our good works in such a way as to try and draw attention to ourselves.

This seems to indicate that there is a fine line between what we are forbidden to do, and what we are expected to do.  We should be careful in our actions, for it appears that our very attitude may be the difference in crossing that line.  Do we do things so that others may pat us on the back and tell us what a good job we are doing?  Or do we do things so that God may be glorified (Matthew 5:16)?

One good example of the proper attitude is found in Tabitha, whose story is told in Acts 9:36-43.  When Tabitha died, there were many who came to mourn her, and brought the things that she had made for them.  They were able to be a testament to her charity, and her good works.  Notice that the passage does not say that she had proclaimed her good works before others.  She had performed them before others, and they took notice of them.  Tabitha did not have to “toot her own horn” and brag about what she had done.  She didn’t have to draw attention to herself.  But, those who had been on the receiving end of her good works were more than happy to share their feelings toward her.

This is what we should be like!  We don’t have to go about telling everyone what we have done, or are doing.  We should do as much as we can for others, and then pray that God is glorified by our actions.  We shouldn’t need the accolades of men.  We should be willing to do good for others just because we know that is what Jesus wants us to do.  If we have to pat ourselves on the back for what we are doing, then we have the wrong attitude!