What Jesus Did! 'Just Between the Father and Me' — Matthew 6:1

Friday, March 7, 2025

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[Jesus continued:] "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven."
— Matthew 6:1 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus has been challenging us to a greater righteousness as expressed in our relationship with other people. He is now going to remind us of the key relationship at the center of our being — our relationship with the Father. In many ways, when Paul wrote the "love chapter" (1 Corinthians 13), he mirrored Jesus' teaching here. Our ministry, our worship, and our lives must have God our Father at the center. They should be motivated out of a love for God. What we do, we do because it is what God would do. Even as we do it, it must convey that love for God. Our acts of worship and kindness are not to impress others but to honor the heart and character of God. If we honor him, we can be sure he will not forget our works and kindness. If we do what we do to be seen by others, that's all the reward we're ever going to get.

Today's Prayer

Father, help me today, and from today forward, to find effective ways to minister to others in a manner brings them closer to your love. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 5:20
  • Matthew 5:5, 16
  • Hebrews 6:10

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 6:1 NLT — [Jesus continued:] "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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