MORNING MANNA 11-30-23
SHOWING OFF
“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.”- Matthew 6:1
I was reading an article from Senior Living that said,”Years ago, Merv Griffin had a bodybuilder on his show. During the interview, Merv asked him, “Why do you develop those particular muscles?” The bodybuilder simply stepped forward and flexed his well-defined muscles as “oohs” and “aahs” emanated from the crowd.
Unsatisfied with the response, Merv asked again, “What I’m asking is… what do you use those muscles for?” The bodybuilder sat with a confused look on his face. He didn’t have any answer except that he built his muscles in order to display them to others.
Sadly, many churchgoers today are a lot like that. They faithfully attend every Sunday, will often read their Bibles during the week, and get involved in ministry for the main reason of displaying their ‘spiritual muscles’ to others in order to impress. Their spiritual life is little more than a display designed to get “oohs” and “aahs” from others.
But the truth is that spiritual growth does have a purpose. Church, Bible study, and ministry are meant to strengthen our ability to serve Christ. So instead of building your spiritual muscles for show, do it to prepare yourself to advance God’s agenda and make an even greater impact for His Kingdom!
Pray that God would help you build up your spiritual muscles not to be seen by others, but to serve Him more effectively.” We have far too much showmanship in the pews and the pulpits. God help us to get real by growing in the likeness of Christ, do all we do for the glory of God, and let our character speak for itself. Motive matters! – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
