In Mathew 6:1-18, Jesus
talks about what it means to be a hypocrite using three examples:
giving, praying and fasting. He makes it clear that they are giving to
the needy in order to be praised by others. They are praying publicly so
that others will hear them. They are fasting so that others will see
their devotion and sacrifice. Their actions may indicate worship of God
but their motivation has little to do with him, it is primarily
concerned with their own reputation.
Am
I like them? Am I a hypocrite? Jesus contrasts the public show of the
hypocrites with the "secret" worship of the disciple. This is not about
no one ever knowing that you pray but about how your private and public
life match up:
- Do others think I'm more generous than I actually am?
- Do I have a reputation for being "spiritual" that does not exist when I'm on my own?
- Would I be as willing to serve if no one ever knew what I'd done?
