"When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do--blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get." Matthew 6:2 NLT
James and Sam Stafford Allen, two brothers from Castle Acre, England, ran 156 miles through the Sahara desert last month to raise money for a national disability charity called Sense that helps people, like their sister (who is blind), live full independent lives. James, 31, and Sam, 32, undertook a year-long training program before completing the equivalent of six marathons in six days when they ran the Marathon des Sables, aka "the toughest foot race on Earth". James later said, "To prepare yourself for the mental challenge for something as physically testing as this, you have to have the right motivation for doing so."And when it comes to having the right motivation for doing good deeds or helping others, the Bible warns us to not "do as the hypocrites do" and be people who do good acts for appearances only. You see, when we do acts of charity only to be noticed and acknowledged by others, we become "hyprocrites". And even if our actions are good, the motives behind them are still hollow and you can be sure that the praise of men will be "all the reward" we will ever get.
So may we check our motives and check them often, so that we will do all things for the glory of God and the good of others with a pure heart and for the right reasons.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder that our motives for serving you and helping others need to be carefully evaluated. Help us to crave the pleasure of doing your will rather than the praises of man. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!Audience of One - Big Daddy Weave
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