INTRODUCTION

It is always right to do right, but it is more perfectly right to do right for the right reasons. Three times in Matthew 6 the Bible emphasizes the fact that the people of God should do right in order to please the "Father which seeth in secret" (Matthew 6:4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
See All..., 6, 18). The proper motive in one’s service yields great rewards from the Lord. At times, these rewards will show up in this life. At other times, one might have to wait until eternity to receive these rewards. Regardless, these rewards will always surpass the rewards for those things done in this life out of unscriptural motives, both in substance and in duration. Serve the Lord, but do so out of a pure motive.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Jesus knew how much money the poor widow gave. He knew her heart and she will be rewarded (Mark 12:41-44 [41] And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. [42] And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. [43] And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: [44] For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
  See All...). God knows secret things and will reward accordingly (Jeremiah 23:24Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
  See All...; John 12:26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
  See All...b; Ephesians 6:8Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
  See All...). He doesn't forget (Hebrews 6:10For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
  See All...).
• One of the rewards the Lord gives for service is a crown. If we do like the elders in Revelation 4:10The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
  See All..., we will one day cast our rewards at the feet of Jesus. Why should this be a cause for the saint of God to make sure he is serving from the right motive?
• Who do you desire to please? How is this an important question when trying to discern your motive?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank God for the opportunity to please Him.
• Ask God to perfect your motives.

HYMN

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