re: #112 Jadespring

At a young age my Mom imparted the wisdom to be wary around those that “wear their Christianity on their sleeve” as they usually are more about the outside then inside. It took some growing up to understand the outside/inside reference. For the most part though I’ve found the whole statement to generally be true.

Couldn’t agree more. It’s right there in the front of Matthew, if you’ll forgive the cut-and-paste…

1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

2 “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

3 “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

6 “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.