¿What is your reward?
What is your heart's intention in doing things? Or when asking the Lord for things? Is it for your own benefit or do you really do it for the good of others? with everything in life it is the same way, the intention of the heart is what really determines the value with which you do it, there is no point in doing good things just to earn points with people, or with your boss, or with your pastor, or your partner's family, if in your heart there is no reason really outside your own benefit, outside of selfishness and your own glory, then it is of no use to you, since that same is your reward, only the temporary glory .
“You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires.” James 4:3 AMP
God searches our hearts and knows our intentions, and as our heavenly Father he will give good things to his children, but he will never give what can corrupt your heart, and he will never answer a prayer that comes from pure selfishness.
“But whoever has the world’s goods (adequate resources), and sees his brother in need, but has no compassion for him, how does the love of God live in him? Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words].” 1 John 3:17-18 AMP
And what happens when you also have to pray for a person in need and come to look super spiritual with a super eloquent prayer only to surprise those who listen to you, if you have in your hands the resources to help those people in need, then what's the point of your eloquence and spirituality if your deeds do not demonstrate true love for the souls in need?
“This is His commandment, that we believe [with personal faith and confident trust] in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and [that we unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another, just as He commanded us.” 1 John 3:23 AMP
Just as it says in this portion, that we love each other, but that this love is not only in words, but is seen in deeds, it is the same as faith, because without actions it is dead, love itself without demonstration is like does not exist, there is no proof that there is, but in the same way, when you give, when you supply, when you love, do not publish it everywhere and denigrate and shame the person who is receiving your help.
““So then, in everything treat others the same way you want them to treat you, for this is [the essence of] the Law and the [writings of the] Prophets.” Matthew 7:12 AMP
Exactly, would you like that if at some point you find yourself in trouble and someone help you out, to publish it on social networks or to tell your close ones? it would embarrass you right? same way, others like you and me have dignity and deserve respect.
““So, whenever you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not blow a trumpet before you [to advertise it], as the hypocrites do [like actors acting out a role] in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored and recognized and praised by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing [give in complete secrecy], so that your charitable acts will be done in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:2-4 AMP
"If you do it in secret, the Lord who sees in secret will reward you in public." Isn't it more beautiful like that? Don't you think it's more rewarding like that? I think it is more fulfilling for the soul to receive gratification from the Lord than from people, since the reward of the Lord is eternal and that of man is temporary, it will only last a few seconds.
