What did Jesus mean in Matthew 6:1 when He said, “Take need that ye do not your aims before men, to be seen of them; other wise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.”?
1Take need that ye do not your aims before men, to be seen of them; other wise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 6:1
ESV - 1 Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
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Asked October 25 2021
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Peggy Johnson
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Tim Maas
I would first note that Jesus was saying, "Take heed...", rather than, "Take need...". (As the ESV expresses it in the question, "Beware of...".) Also, the word spelled "aims" in the question should instead be "alms" (that is, charitable giving). Jesus was saying that Christians should not make a public show of their faith (as, for example, the Pharisees did by praying aloud, or giving monetary offerings to God, in a public or ostentatious manner) in order to impress other people with their piety and to be praised by them. Instead, Christians should pray in a private setting or silently, and do their charitable giving in a secret or anonymous fashion. If they do so, even though other people may not know about it, God will know, and will reward them for their humility and their generosity. (The above response would also serve as my answer to the question, "Why does Jesus say to pray in secret?")
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