Money Trees, Plaques, and Windows

We visited a new church last night. It was a mixture of mostly traditional with a bit of contemporary mixed in. I was thankful that the pastor wasn't wearing a suit and tie and that the people were dressed modestly, yet casual.

There were stained glass windows in the auditorium. They weren't even outside windows. They were there for decoration with a light behind them. I guess these were just for looks. At the bottom of each window was someone's name. The names were actually a part of the window and not on a plaque.

Churches are full of these kinds of things - money trees, bricks, stained glass windows, plaques - all with names of recognition for good deeds. I want to remind us of Jesus said. This is from Matthew 6:1-4.

"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. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Let's be careful not to get caught up in praise and recognition for the things we've done. It is easy to get wrapped up into these things.