Acts of Righteousness Before the Crowd

We have already looked at Jesus’s warning about giving to the poor in order to be seen. He also warns us against prayer and fasting in order to be seen. Of course, we violate this all the time. We don’t stick to the simple prayers Jesus models for us, but like to “heap up empty phrases,” don’t we? If we fast, we want others to know about it. In my years of living in a country where fasting was expected from the majority religion, I can see what Jesus was getting at. It was important for them to make sure others knew about it. I would sometimes look for a chance to poke someone’s self-righteousness with these words of Jesus (who is acknowledged as a major prophet), but the opportunity never really presented itself.

Anyway, enough about that. We’ve already covered it. What I’m more interested in is what comes next, and how it may relate to some teaching present in churches today. Starting in verse 19, Jesus says,

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

This is a pretty well-known passage, but we often treat it as it stands alone. The question I raise today is, why is this passage situated here? Why does Jesus talk about treasures on earth and treasures in heaven after he has discussed practicing our acts of righteousness before other people in order to be seen? Is there a connection?

In speaking of the other acts of righteousness done before others, Jesus said “they have received their reward.” He doesn’t say that here, but in Luke 6, which resembles the Sermon on the Mount in several ways, he does say “”But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.” So, there is somewhat of a connection with the “already received” notion, and I think we can find more of a connection when we see the behavior of many religious people today.

Why do people lay up for themselves treasures on earth? One noble reason might be practicality – saving for foreseen or unforeseen expenses (retirement or the proverbial “rainy day,” respectively). It’s not always wrong to have possessions, even high-quality possessions. Another reason might be fear of not having enough, or an excessive desire for comfort and pleasure. Another reason people acquire possessions is so that others can see them. This instagram account shows “celebrity pastors” wearing high-end sneakers and displays their retail price. Some have criticized the site for doing this, as though it violates their privacy. My thought is, “wasn’t the point of the sneakers that others would notice them?”  

One of the motives religious people have for laying up treasure is so that others will see them and acknowledge that they are “blessed.” Here is a great post dealing with why we need to stop using “blessed” in that way. Hard work, avoiding expensive habits and impulsive spending, and care in use of resources are all virtues that we should practice. However, sometimes we want others to notice all the virtues that we live out. That is, we want our righteousness to be seen by others (6:1). Even more, we want God to bless us for our faithfulness in spiritual things. Sometimes we try to live a faithful lives as Christians, happen to experience material prosperity, and somehow the two become linked in our minds. The trouble lies when we expect this blessing to come to us in material things. We all want peace, contentment, security, esteem and love. However, material things cannot satisfy these deep needs. Seeking peace, contentment, security, esteem and love in material things will actually diminish our experience of these feelings as the imbalanced pursuit of them destroys our relationship with God, with others, and with God’s creation. Peace, contentment, security, esteem and love come from God Himself, by our relationship with Him individually and in community with others.

The so-called “prosperity gospel” teaches that God provides material blessing to those who are spiritually faithful. This is idolatry – placing our hope in things other than God. In this recent sermon, David Platt explains why, in the New Testament, material reward is never promised for spiritual obedience. (starting about minute 29). If you listen to the prosperity preachers, they will tell you that material reward is a sign of their faithfulness, and their lavish lifestyles are an attempt to prove their righteousness. They are displaying what they teach is a sign of righteousness in order to be seen by others. That is, if they are righteous at all. I would contend that they are in grave sin by deceiving people and preying on the weak who can least afford to give to their ministries.

The prosperity gospel teaches its followers to pursue material wealth along with spirituality, so that others will take note of their wealth, connect it to their spirituality, and be drawn to it. However, the true gospel teaches us to find our esteem in God alone, that “Godliness with contentment is great gain,” (1 Tim. 6:6), to be content in any situation (Phil. 4:11, 1 Tim. 6:8).

All the blessing we need is available through Jesus. He gives us true peace, contentment, security, esteem and love. As it says in Hebrews 13:5, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Our worth is in Christ, and not our possessions. Showing off wealth as if it has anything to do with strong spirituality is folly just as much as showy prayers, donations and fasting. The reward is only in the esteem of people, but God is not impressed.