The day its solicitation first appeared on my screen, I gave it an honest positive rating of 5 out of 5 stars. Would I recommend it to a friend? Sure! When a third screen popped up asking me to explain why I gave that rating, I composed a thoughtful, encouraging response, selected “SUBMIT;” my cyber-civic duty done. The next day, the same message appeared again. I thought that I would be placed on a loyal, positive-feedback-leaving customer list and be left alone. No, it wanted more validation. Its nagging cost it a star. When asked what they could do to improve the browser I typed, “Stop sending me these feedback solicitations after I have given you feedback.” It persists in solicitating kudos, every time I open a new window. By now, they owe me stars!
In his remarks about doing acts of “righteousness” like giving to the needy and spending time in prayer, Jesus said, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward in heaven.” Apparently, some who gave alms at the temple made a big show of it so that all would know how pious and generous they were. Others liked praying out loud in public with bloated orations. Jesus said that whatever admiration they garnered from people would be all the reward they would receive. God, who sees the heart, dismisses it as empty, showboating sanctity.
Instead, Jesus prescribed, when you give, give so discreetly that not even your left hand will know what your right hand just did. When you pray, cloister yourself in a closet where no one can see or hear you, and pray to be heard by God only. “And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Contrary to popular belief, the reward is not more points in the credit column for entry into heaven. To have the privilege of entering heaven, a person must be as righteous as God, who is perfect in righteousness. No human being, save one, Jesus himself, meets that standard. The good news of the Bible is that whoever would humble themselves before God, confess their unrighteousness, and put their faith in Jesus, whom God sent, his death to pay for their sin, his resurrection as proof, their sins are forgiven, and Jesus’ righteous record is applied to them forever. It is not what you have done, but what Jesus did for you, that is praiseworthy.
