For Show or For God

 DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE

FOR SHOW OR FOR GOD

Luke 20:45-47

45 While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46 "Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."

NIV

Once again, Matthew goes into more detail about what Jesus said about the teachers of the law, however, Luke makes the point clear. These teachers of the law did a lot of religious-looking things, especially in the clothes. The more religious one looks was supposed to be a sign of how close to God they were. But they were not about living under the grace of God, but only wanting to appear they were so the people would think highly of them. Because all scripture is beneficial for us as it teaches us, gives us instruction for our lives, rebukes, convicting us of errors in our lives, it corrects, straightens us up again, and it trains us in the way of righteousness so we will be thoroughly equipped to serve or do the works of God, we know there is a warning about those today who do the same thing as those teachers of the law did. We are aware of those who make a big deal about being one of the super religious ones, looking as if they are “holier than thou” and those who have silver tongues and fine clothes, living in luxury while telling their deceived followers to give more to God, meaning to them, and God will give back more. But they wear the most expensive clothes and jewelry, driving extremely high-end cars, and lavish homes, while not lifting a finger to help the poor. However, what we also need to consider is how we live and if we are living off the backs of poor widows, devouring their homes, so to speak. Do we give back? We tithe to the church, but does the church use our tithe to give to the poor? Perhaps most of our tithes and offerings are used in the administration of the church with a portion given to those who do the work of God in other countries. Maybe we provide some works of service to the poor here around us. But we cannot get too self-absorbed as the teachers of the law were, trying to look like we are religious but not really doing anything for God, which means, not the church, but God. Then we also have to be careful not to try to impress everyone with our prayers, making an effort to use all sorts of spiritual words, many of them, even quoting God’s word in length. If we have a need or are praying for someone, God already knows what he said, and we only have to ask for the need, plain and simple, with a humble heart. Let us not make a show for men, but let us live humbly before our God and before men.