Giving from a Pure Heart: Motivations Matter
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into Matthew 6:1-4, focusing on the theme of "Giving from a Pure Heart." We explored the motivations behind our actions, particularly in giving, praying, and fasting. Jesus emphasizes that our intent matters more than our external actions. He challenges us to examine our hearts and ensure that our motivations align with God's will, rather than seeking human approval. The story of the young piano prodigy who played for an audience of one—his coach—illustrates that our lives should be lived for an audience of one: Jesus Christ. Our actions should not be for the applause of men but for the glory of God.
Jesus warns against practicing righteousness to be seen by others, as the Pharisees did. They sought public recognition and praise, but Jesus calls us to give in secret, where only God sees. This secret giving reflects a heart that seeks to honor God rather than self. The Pharisees' outward displays of piety were condemned because their motivations were corrupt. True righteousness comes from a heart aligned with God's will, not from external actions meant to impress others.
We are reminded that everything we have is on loan from God, and our stewardship should reflect that understanding. Our giving should be generous, sacrificial, and done in faith, not for human recognition. The ultimate reward is not earthly praise but hearing God say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Our lives should reflect the light of Christ, not our own self-righteousness. As we give, let us do so with the right motivation, seeking to glorify God in all that we do.
### Key Takeaways
1. Motivation Matters: Jesus emphasizes that the intent behind our actions is crucial. Our giving, praying, and fasting should be done with a pure heart, seeking to honor God rather than to gain human approval. This aligns our actions with God's will and ensures that our righteousness is genuine. [44:26]
2. Secret Giving: Jesus calls us to give in secret, where only God sees. This reflects a heart that seeks to honor God rather than self. Public displays of piety, like those of the Pharisees, are condemned because they seek human praise. True righteousness comes from a heart aligned with God's will. [46:59]
3. Stewardship of God's Gifts: Everything we have is on loan from God. Our stewardship should reflect this understanding, using our resources to glorify God and bless others. This includes our homes, possessions, and finances. We are merely stewards of what God has entrusted to us. [48:40]
4. Sacrificial Giving: True sacrificial giving is born out of the Christian gospel. It involves giving generously, even when it costs us something. This kind of giving reflects the sacrificial love of Christ and is done in faith, trusting that God will provide for our needs. [51:19]
5. Living for an Audience of One: Our lives should be lived for an audience of one: Jesus Christ. We should not seek the praise of men but the approval of God. This means examining our motivations and ensuring that our actions are done to glorify God, not to gain human recognition. [55:52]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[44:26] - Introduction to Matthew 6:1-4
[45:47] - The Importance of Intent
[46:59] - Righteousness of Christ
[47:47] - Examining Internal Actions
[48:40] - Prayer and Reflection
[49:35] - The Power of the Gospel
[51:19] - Story of the Piano Prodigy
[55:52] - Living for an Audience of One
[58:01] - Life in the Kingdom of God
[01:01:07] - Warning Against Hypocrisy
[01:03:07] - The Hypocrite's Giving
[01:06:12] - The Chamber of the Secret
[01:09:46] - Seeking God's Glory
[01:11:07] - Pleasing God, Not Men
[01:13:21] - The Intent of Giving
[01:16:20] - Heavenly Rewards
[01:18:08] - Kingdom-Focused Giving
[01:20:05] - Do Not Neglect to Share
[01:24:12] - Stewardship Brings Rewards
[01:26:12] - Do Not Be Weary in Well-Doing
[01:28:29] - Give Sacrificially
[01:30:24] - Righteous Giving by Faith
[01:33:05] - Reflecting Christ in Giving
[01:35:00] - The Praise of Others
[01:36:07] - Living for the Audience of One
[01:37:09] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
[01:42:37] - Announcements and Farewell
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Giving from a Pure Heart
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 6:1-4 (ESV): "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus warn against in Matthew 6:1-4 regarding the practice of righteousness? [46:59]
2. How does Jesus describe the behavior of the hypocrites when they give to the needy? [46:59]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of giving in secret? [46:59]
4. What is the ultimate reward for giving with the right motivation, as mentioned in the sermon? [46:59]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of intent and motivation behind our actions, particularly in giving? [45:47]
2. How does the story of the young piano prodigy illustrate the concept of living for an audience of one? [55:52]
3. What does it mean to be a steward of God's gifts, and how should this understanding affect our giving? [48:40]
4. How can sacrificial giving reflect the love of Christ, and why is it important to give in faith? [51:19]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own motivations for giving. Are there times when you have sought human approval rather than God's? How can you shift your focus to giving for God's glory? [46:59]
2. Think about a recent act of giving you performed. Was it done in secret or with the intent of being noticed by others? How can you ensure your future acts of giving align with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:1-4? [46:59]
3. Consider the resources you have been entrusted with by God. How can you use them more effectively to bless others and glorify God? [48:40]
4. Identify a specific way you can practice sacrificial giving this week. What steps will you take to ensure it is done in faith and with the right motivation? [51:19]
5. How can you cultivate a mindset of living for an audience of one, like the young piano prodigy? What practical changes can you make in your daily life to focus on pleasing God rather than seeking human praise? [55:52]
6. Reflect on the concept of stewardship. How can you better manage the gifts and resources God has given you to reflect His light and love to others? [48:40]
7. Think of a situation where you might be tempted to seek recognition for your good deeds. How can you prepare yourself to act with humility and keep your actions aligned with God's will? [46:59]
Devotional
Day 1: The Heart Behind Our Actions
Our motivations are crucial in the eyes of God. Jesus teaches that our giving, praying, and fasting should be done with a pure heart, seeking to honor God rather than to gain human approval. This means that the intent behind our actions is more important than the actions themselves. When we give, it should not be for the applause of men but for the glory of God. This aligns our actions with God's will and ensures that our righteousness is genuine. Jesus challenges us to examine our hearts and ensure that our motivations are pure and aligned with His teachings. [44:26]
Matthew 6:1-2 (ESV): "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward."
Reflection: Think about a recent act of kindness you performed. What was your motivation behind it? Ask God to help you purify your intentions and seek His approval above all else.
Day 2: The Power of Secret Giving
Jesus calls us to give in secret, where only God sees. This reflects a heart that seeks to honor God rather than self. Public displays of piety, like those of the Pharisees, are condemned because they seek human praise. True righteousness comes from a heart aligned with God's will. When we give in secret, it shows that we are not seeking recognition from others but are genuinely trying to serve and honor God. This kind of giving is a true reflection of a heart that is in tune with God's desires. [46:59]
Matthew 6:3-4 (ESV): "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Reflection: Consider a way you can give to someone in need this week without anyone else knowing. How does this change your perspective on giving?
Day 3: Stewardship of God's Gifts
Everything we have is on loan from God. Our stewardship should reflect this understanding, using our resources to glorify God and bless others. This includes our homes, possessions, and finances. We are merely stewards of what God has entrusted to us. Recognizing this helps us to use our resources wisely and generously, knowing that we are accountable to God for how we manage what He has given us. Our giving should be generous, sacrificial, and done in faith, not for human recognition. [48:40]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: Reflect on the resources God has entrusted to you. How can you use them to serve others and glorify God this week?
Day 4: The Essence of Sacrificial Giving
True sacrificial giving is born out of the Christian gospel. It involves giving generously, even when it costs us something. This kind of giving reflects the sacrificial love of Christ and is done in faith, trusting that God will provide for our needs. Sacrificial giving is not about the amount but about the heart and the willingness to give up something for the sake of others. It is a powerful testimony of our faith and trust in God's provision. [51:19]
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: Identify one area where you can give sacrificially this week. How can this act of giving deepen your faith and trust in God's provision?
Day 5: Living for an Audience of One
Our lives should be lived for an audience of one: Jesus Christ. We should not seek the praise of men but the approval of God. This means examining our motivations and ensuring that our actions are done to glorify God, not to gain human recognition. Living for an audience of one requires a shift in focus from seeking external validation to seeking God's approval in all that we do. It is about aligning our lives with God's will and living in a way that honors Him above all else. [55:52]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
Reflection: Think about an area of your life where you seek human approval. How can you shift your focus to seek God's approval instead? What changes can you make to live for an audience of one?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "If you don't take anything away from the message today, I want you to take this one thing away. That in our giving, in our praying, in our fasting, in just about every area that we conduct our Christian lives, we play for one another. I play, if I may, to an audience of one. That's Jesus Christ. Nobody else. We don't play for each other. We don't play to be seen by one another. We play solely to an audience of one." [55:52] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We live our lives to glorify and honor Him in everything that we say and in everything that we do. Our lives are not meant to lift us up. Our lives are not meant to glorify us. Our lives are not meant for us to receive any honor. Because any glory or honor that we receive ought not to be taken, but to be given back to Jesus Christ." [56:34] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "It's fearful to have a life that looks beautiful on the outside, but the intent and the motivation of the inside is corrupt and unclean. We know that in the Old Testament, even our good deeds are, as filthy rags. And even today, that still applies today, that everything that we set out to do is good. We're dependent upon any of our good deeds. They are still just as much filthy rags now as they were back then." [01:00:22] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Everything that we have has been entrusted to us so that we can use those things to praise the One who gave it to us in the first place. And to use those things to share with others. We are merely stewards of what He has given to us. Hebrews chapter 13, verse 16 sums this up perfectly. says, do not neglect to do good and to share what you have for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." [01:20:05] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you're compelled by something other than your faith, other than your trust, if you're relying on your dependence and your own works, if you're not dependent upon the righteousness of Jesus Christ, don't do it. It's not having the right motivation. But if you're compelled by Christ and Christ alone, then act in faith into the calling that he's putting upon your conscience." [01:30:58] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The Sermon on the Mount is basically about having a right relationship, but it's also about having the right righteousness as well. You see, it's not our self-righteousness because there's nothing righteous in any of us. It's not our self-righteousness. It is the righteousness of Christ, and in Christ alone, that makes us holy. It's His righteousness that makes us blameless, that makes us perfect, and that makes us perfect in the eyes of the Father." [46:59] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus illuminates the contrast between the hypocrite religion, which seeks men's attention and the praise of the Christian religion, if I may, which only seeks the approval of God. The admonition is in essence not to practice your piety or to make a show or performance of your religious acts. No parading, making it before others or making a big show of it or a big exposition of it." [01:03:07] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The word hypocrite actually means mask wear. Hypocrite, of course, were actors in the Greek theater who wore masks that were exaggerated in form with huge smiles or huge frowns so that even the people in the back row could see the different emotions that were being portrayed. And it's where, in fact, that we get the term or the idea of two-faced. Same idea." [01:04:54] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The Christian is to give generously, but to give generously in secret. The right hand was taught to be the greater, more prestigious hand. Here the left hand is not clapping in applause at the right hand's giving, it would just make noise. The word picture that's drawn here is that the left doesn't know what the right is doing, which tells us it's about secrecy. It's hidden even to oneself." [01:13:58] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Our motivation, our intent ought to be a treasure in heaven. But I would say that the treasure is Christ himself where we will spend all of eternity if you're saved, walking with him. What a prize that is. The creator of the universe having a close, intimate relationship. A right relationship with the right righteousness is the right reward. Heavenly reward." [01:25:25] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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