From the Mouths of Babes

Today's reading is a lot like yesterday's. There is so much that could be said and so little space to say it. (I definitely feel a sermon series on the Sermon on the Mount coming on at some point). Rather than try to digest everything in this passage, I thought I would share the story of a young man I met in Newark several years ago.

Some time in the early 1990's, I spent a week at the Newark with a group from my church. We were assisting one of our missionaries Toto Baran in his outreach to children in the Ironbound section (and beyond). There was one young man, a 6th grader, who prayed to receive Christ as his Savior. We sent him home that day with a Bible telling him to read it. Well, read it he did. He came back the next day with a question. And what a question it was! He asked me why Matthew 5 tells us to shine our lights shine before me that they may see our good deeds yet Matthew 6 tells us to be careful not to do our acts of righteousness before men? He thought he sensed a conflict.

I thought that was a pretty good question for a one-day old Christian in the sixth grade (whose primary language was not English). I remember being speechless at the question, so speechless that I think the young man despaired of getting an answer. But I did give an answer. The difference, of course, is all about who you are doing your deeds for. In Matthew 5, we shine our lights that others may see our deeds and praise our Father who is in heaven. In Matthew 6, we are warned about placing the spotlight on ourselves. The difference is a difference of motivation and credit. Why are we doing what we are doing? And who is going to get the credit for what we have done?

Those are tricky questions to answer. Sorting out motives is not easy. Discerning who we hope to see glorified is a challenge. Still, it is worth a look into our minds and hearts. Am I in the pulpit for my glory or God's? Am I reading the Bible every day because I want other Christians to think well of me or because I want to know God? There is a slim margin between shining our lights and turning the spotlight on ourselves.

I have often wondered what happened to that young man with all the questions. If I remember correctly, Toto Baran said that his family just disappeared from the neighborhood one day. It was not an unusual occurrence in a place where many weren't in the country legally. I pray that, that young man is still asking perceptive questions and seeking first the Kingdom of God.