Main Scripture Reference - Matthew 6:1-4
Other Scripture References: Isaiah 58:6-7; Proverbs 14:31; James 2:14-17; Matthew 5:16; I Samuel 16:7; Acts 4:32-33; Acts 5:1-11; II Corinthians 5:14

INTRO–‘Right Belief vs. Right Being’

Church folks are failing in public relations and in representing God when the culture around it declares the church to be hypocritical, judgmental and irrelevant in many recent surveys. This isn't a new issue because Jesus himself was always challenging the religious leaders to not just have right beliefs but also to have right practices that come from being right on the inside. What Jesus usually exposed in the religious folk was hypocrisy, playing the part but not being who they claimed to be. The emphasis of Jesus is first to be right on the inside so that you can then have right actions. Read Matthew 6:1-4.

• Name some of the ‘Religious’ things you typically do in a month? Do you ever ask yourself why you do some of the religious things you do?


• How close would you say your heart on the inside matches your actions on the outside? Where do you think you need improvement?

THE ASSUMPTION –‘Giving to the Needy’Read Isaiah 58:6-7; Proverbs 14:31; & James 2:14-1

One of the first challenges that Jesus makes is in the realm of giving to the needy. It must be pointed out that Jesus doesn’t say if you give to the needy but when you give, assuming that those who serve God automatically serve God’s people. God’s priority throughout Scripture is for the poor and Jesus is making it clear here that giving to the needy is indeed an act of anyone who truly loves God. The problem was not in doing good deeds but in wanting to be seen or recognized for doing good deeds. Read Matthew 5:16.

• Do you regularly give to the needy? If so why do you do it?


• How hard is it for you to do good deeds and not desire for others to know about it? Have you ever done an anonymous good deed? Explain.

THE ISSUE–‘Your Motives’Read I Samuel 16:7; Acts 4:32-33; & Acts 5:1-11

The issue for Jesus comes down to motive because God doesn’t look at your outward appearances, God looks at the heart. Motives go way beyond the act and define who you are and why you do things, and Jesus is clearly calling you to measure your motives for good deeds. In Acts 5 the issue wasn’t that Ananias and Saphira didn’t give all their money to the church. The issue was that they lied about how much they gave, clearly wanting recognition and honor from their peers, and God wasn’t pleased by that at all. In moving from religion of God to relationship with God you lose the having to, the external must, the rituals and rules. What you gain is growing in love and desire for God and doing things for God because you want to and not because you have to.

• What are some of your true motives for serving others and doing good deeds? How many of those motives would not be pleasing to God?


• Have you experienced God’s pleasure and approval for doing something good? Explain.

THE ANSWER–‘God’s Heart”’II Corinthians 5:14

When you grow in love in relationship with God you begin to order your life values and priorities around the things that matter to God’s heart. When you get in touch with the things that God cares about, caring becomes a natural response moving from isolated acts of kindness to a lifestyle of caring. This is the heart God desires in you and will change in you if you will begin seeking and loving God instead of recognition and human reward.

• What are some of the things happening in this world that might keep God awake at night? Are they on your radar as well or not?


• Do you truly care about those in need? How can you become more involved with real people & real needs


• What do you need to do to begin moving from isolated acts of caring to a lifestyle of caring for others?