By Tim Howington (the When You series, Part 1)

I have always had a soft spot in my heart for the Sermon on the Mount.  I think it goes back to my early days in the faith and sitting in a class by Steve Graves on the Sermon. Not only did Steve do a great job of presenting the material, but the original content of Jesus’ most well-known teaching is a masterpiece.  I guess we shouldn’t be surprised that the God-man who stepped into time to save us might have significant things to say as well.

This article introduces 3 ideas found in Matthew chapter six.  Jesus launches the section by saying,

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise, you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven” (Mt 6:1).

In this short verse, Jesus introduces us to competing values that most of us struggle with- should we be concerned with the approval of man or the approval of God? Are you a people pleaser or a God pleaser?  I guess the answer is YES for most of us. But as Jesus pits those against one another, he says you get one or the other.

If your motive is to be noticed by men- that’s what you get. NOTICED BY MEN.

If your motive is to be noticed by God- you get REWARDED BY GOD.

If you think about it, those should not be in competition. Surely being rewarded by God is more significant than being noticed by men.

Yet the struggle is real.

Being noticed by men is immediate, tangible, timely.  But being rewarded by God is a bit nebulous. How? When? Where?

So, we settle for that which we can experience with our senses. And we lose that which is discerned by our spirits and seen with spiritual eyes of faith.

Hebrews says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Heb 11:1)

Faith says God promises reward, so I will hope for reward.

The writer of Hebrews goes on to say, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (Heb 11:6)

That verse is packed because it talks about how God feels about our faith. Faith that believes that He is real.  Faith that believes that He rewards those who seek Him. That kind of faith (wait for it) PLEASES HIM.

I like that clarity.

Over the next few articles, we will be addressing 3 specific applications of this principle of please God or pleasing men.  Jesus illustrates with

• Giving to the Poor
• Prayer
• Fasting