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

Friday, March 7, 2025

[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

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

11 Related Resources by Heartlight

Matthew 6:1
Devo: Today's Verse
"Be careful not to do your "acts of righteousness" before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."
Matthew 6:1
Devo: Today's Verse
"[Jesus continued his Sermon on the Mount,] "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward..."
Looking to Get on Film?
Illustration of Matthew 6:1
Inspirational illustration of Matthew 6:1 -- Be careful not to do your "acts of righteousness" before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
Goodness Out of the Spotlight
Devo: Together in Christ
"[Jesus warned his disciples,] "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in..."
See All 11 Related Resources about Matthew 6:1

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."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, March 7, 2025

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
2 Peter 3:8-9
"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends:With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Prayer and Confession Produces Wonderful Results'
"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Ed Cole:
"Wishing will never be a substitute for prayer."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Tested and Proven Character'
"Dear Faithful Follower, About the same time Paul was trying to help the Galatian believers understand grace, My half-brother James was working with....."

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.

More What Jesus Did!