Duncan Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 (edited) In Matt 5:16 it says"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." and yet Matt 6:1 says, "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." So how can we do works before men but not before men? Edited April 16, 2015 by Duncan
Duncan Posted April 16, 2015 Author Posted April 16, 2015 Good works and alms are different. do tell!
bluebell Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 Verse 1 actually explains the difference between the two where it says "to be seen of them." I think that doing good works to glorify God and lead people to Him is always acceptable, but doing them to satisfy our own pride or to gain attention is not. 2
Robert F. Smith Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 Scripture is rife with such apparent internal contradictions. 1
JAHS Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 Letting your light shine just means being good representatives of Christ and his gospel on earth so all can see the good things God can do for us all. God receives the glory and recognition for it.Alms simply refers to offerings to others that helps with their temporal needs. If we do those for all to see we are seeking the glory for it for ourselves. 3
tonie Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 Verse 1 actually explains the difference between the two where it says "to be seen of them." I think that doing good works to glorify God and lead people to Him is always acceptable, but doing them to satisfy our own pride or to gain attention is not. That is the distinction I see. The doing of the alms before men, is described as being done for the glory of men.
Flyonthewall Posted April 16, 2015 Posted April 16, 2015 The way I see it, the "let your light so shine..." is leading by example - do what I do, not what I say. Alms giving - be a Secret Santa rather than a stage production. 1
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