Tuesday 7th May
Read Matthew 6:1
“Be careful not to practise your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” (NIVUK)
Sometimes the old commentators see things that we modern folk would miss simply because they are closer to the culture and time in which Jesus taught. That is part of the reason I always journey back to consider their wisdom. Here is an example from John Chrysostom from the late 300’s AD. ‘Chrysostom’ was not a surname. It means ‘golden-mouthed’ and was given to him after his death to reflect the greatness of his words.
“And when He had said, not to do it before men, He added, to be seen of them. And though it seems as if the same thing were said a second time, yet if any one give particular attention, it is not the same thing, but one is different from the other; and it has great security, and unspeakable care and tenderness. For it may be, both that one doing alms before men may not do it to be seen of them, and again that one not doing it before men may do it to be seen of them. Wherefore it is not simply the thing, but the intent, which He both punishes and rewards. And unless such exactness were employed, this would make many more backward about the giving of alms, because it is not on every occasion altogether possible to do it secretly. For this cause, setting you free from this restraint, He defines both the penalty and the reward not by the result of the action, but by the intention of the doer.” (John Chrysostom)
