|
Online links to scriptures (New International Version [NIV] unless otherwise stated) are shown in blue
| NEW YEAR WISHES |
|
 May we all learn to walk more closely in the will of the Lord for us this year.
|
| Giving to the Needy
“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. |
|
|
| 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. |
|
|
| 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:1-4) |
|
|
| EXPOSITION: |
|
 There are 3 basic requirements of the believer; giving, praying and fasting. The next three beatitudes deal with these in turn.
In essence, the (compulsory) giving of alms to the poor should be done on the basis of need not of show. Once again this was promulgated by the ostentatious excesses of the Rabbis and Pharisees of the time of Jesus. They made a show of giving, but in reality gave little at all. Jesus uncovered their hypocrisy.
We can either be glorified by men for our generosity or by God. The choice is ours.
|
| TESTIMONY: |
|
 This was a big problem for me in the operation of Seekers Megamarts! And I am not sure that I have the answer!
The objective of our charitable trust was to provide money and clothing to assist the people of Africa who so desperately need help.
In order to attract both donations of goods and to attract customers to our shops, we publicise this fact.
Hence, my picture was on the front of a local newspaper as we sent our first container of clothes away to Africa. I must admit, when I saw the photo on the cover I was firstly very surprised, and secondly, shocked by the very grey hair I saw! Surely a reflection from the flash! Vanity, vanity, too! What hope is there for me!!! Now, several years later, it is nearly all grey! Grey hair looks distinguished! LOL!
|
|
|
 Seriously though, it is so easy to slip from doing good as God commands and leads to a situation of glorifying self.
One lady I met during the week told me how addictive doing community service was, as people looked up to you for it! Sadly, I could see what she meant.
I believe that Jesus looks at the heart motivations of what we do in all areas of our lives. What are our actions intended to do Glorify God or promote ourselves? The balance can be very fine. Hence the warning of this beatitude.
|
|
|
May I, may we, never forget and give Him all the honour and the glory. Amen.
|
| <i>NEXT WEEK:</i> SERMON ON THE MOUNT continues... |
|
 ... as we look at the vital subject of prayer.
|
| A NOTE FROM DAVID |
|
 We really are very complicated people and our motivations can so easily swing from good to bad, almost without our knowing it!
Fortunately we have a gracious God who helps us back onto the path again when we take a side track.
Thank you Lord.
BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY
BEERSHEBA - HEZEKIAH - ALTAR
Was this ancient altar found at Beersheba used by the Hebrews?
This dismantled altar was discovered at the ruins of ancient Beersheba and was most likely destroyed during a revival, possibly by king Hezekiah. The Bible records one revival by king Hezekiah about 715 BC and another by Josiah about 621 BC.
The Bible says that Hezekiah, "removed the high places and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it." (2 Kings 18:4). It is interesting that one of the stones has an engraving of a serpent!
2 Kings 23: 6-10
6 - And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped [it] small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people. 7 - And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that [were] by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove. 8 - And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba, and brake down the high places of the gates that [were] in the entering in of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which [were] on a man's left hand at the gate of the city. 9 - Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren. 10 - And he defiled Topheth, which [is] in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.
|
So until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD!
His servant and yours
Learn more about us at...
www.wwj.org.nz/about.php
|
A DAVID'S DOODLING
318. Any gift given by us, pales into insignificance when compared to the gift given for us.
David Tait
|
Check
out the WWJ website for….
More David's Doodlings: www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php
What We're All About: http://www.wwj.org.nz/about.php
PGIM! Weekly Encouragement Ezine : http://www.wwj.org.nz/wwword.php
Reports on past Ministry visits: http://www.wwj.org.nz/diary.php
Eagles Fly High!: http://www.wwj.org.nz/eagle.php
|
