A bible verse...?

Question

We studied Matthew 6 at bible study, here are a few verses. Why is it that alot of Christians don' follow this at all?

1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

16"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Well, if we go by the verses, then anyone who does not follow them is a hypocrit. In america, most Christians try to serve both God and money, and you see alot of people on answers saying "I'll pray for you". So all of these people are hypocrits?

Answer 1

Some because of pride, some because of ignorance and some because they don't study the Word like you are. Kudos to you for the group you are in. Keep studying and have a great day!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

Admittedly, there are some who are seeking to get patted on the back when they give to the needy, etc. However, their father is the only one who knows who they are. And, like the bible says, if being patted on the back is the reward they want, that is the reward they will get.

Why is it that so many Christians do not follow the commandment to "Judge Not?" Are we a reliable judge of ANYONES motives? God is the only one able to read motives. Did you ask this so YOU could be honored by man, or was your motive to seek a true answer, or was your motive to feel superior to those who do that, or was your motive to lead someone to righteousness??? Who knows? Only God.

Answer 3

80% of American people claimed to be 'born again' but only 2% believed in hell.
Is that answer your question ?
It means, people claimed to be christian, but they don't read the bible. Some churches become so lukewarm, they twist the truth. They want to create 'god' that is pleasing to them.
Verses like this, often forgoten in the lukewarm church. Because it's to offensive for them.
They throw away the 10 comandments because ,supposedly, it is not valid anymore. While in these verses Jesus point out about the 1st commandment and 2nd commandment. That we can't serve two master at the same time. God is our only master.

Answer 4

It is so easy for us, even (and especially) Christians to get caught up in the world around us. Despite being called to live in the world and not of it, we still have to live in the world. Our lives are still about money at some level. I have to work to earn money to eat, to earn money to find a place to live, etc. Where the difference lies is that we should do those things that our society demands of us, but keep our focus on God.

Recently my youth group that I lead participated in a 30 hour famine and the lessons learned by my students were incredible. The felling that they were fasting and raising money to help the needy but so was the person next to them, so they couldn't complain or boast because everyone was doing it. What a fabulous lesson to learn first hand.

So we as Christians lose sight of those things because it is rare in our culture that people give so selflessly. Look at Oprah or other celebrities. If they didn't get filmed doing it or get it in print, would they do it? Maybe, maybe not.

We need to be as focused on God and on the call to love those around us. Give a homeless person money without questioning what he will do with it, or better yet, buy that person a meal and ask his story. If he is unwilling to sit with you and eat, give him money and send him on his way, but do it willingly and with a loving heart. When we do those things it is God's sight that truly matters and in the end that is the reason for us to do anything at anytime - for God.

Answer 5

You are one of the wiser people on Yahoo - maybe that title is supposed to emulate the majority of the people in here ?
Well, it is unpopular, unworldy, uncommon, etc.
The MEDIA tells us to give and tell everyone. Ever heard of a movie star giving $100,000 to a charity ? Of course. It even seems like a lot of money, although when your movie made $50 million, $100k isn't much.
The world tells us to be bold, buy the latest toys and gadgets and cars, etc. and people are typically dumb enough to do it.
Which is why the quote - many are called and few are chosen is SO true.
It is so detrimental to continually double check that we are on the right path, through study of the Bible, seeking out like believers, etc. Most people run through life with blinders on- or their eyes closed !

Answer 6

These verses deal with "attitude" and "motive" - there is nothing wrong with saying you will pray for someone if you really follow through and do it. The Bible clearly instructs us to pray one for the other. But if you do your good deeds with a prideful attitude or for the motive of getting attention or just for the sake of "making money" - then yes you have lost your reward.

Answer 7

Because many Christians don't actually read the Bible in any depth, they simply look to others to feed their fantasy or tell them they are right. This often leads to ignorance and coercion. I can honestly say I do not blame some of as the Bible often contradicts itself, but the belief in preachers and rumor is frightening. I would not feel comfortable knowing my sources of knowledge are based on the the beliefs of other people and not searching for myself.

Answer 8

I suppose it all depends on the motivation. It can be beneficial to let people know such things, for example if you're fasting and need encouragement/prayer. That might be a good reason to tell someone. Otherwise, I think people do it because they want recognition...

Answer 9

It is also written:...the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak...
and Paul said it well; ...why do I do the things that I do not want to do and I do not do the things that I will...
Paul refers to our body's sin nature.

I believe the Holy Spirit is doing a work in me in these ares now:
Trust Jesus Christ for sanctification and do not judge others; it is a trap to do so because we are all guilty of sin and only God knows the heart of man.
...pray for one another....
we are to be careful ...lest we consume one another...
think on things that are lovely, build up and do not tear each other down...

Thanks for sharing-I love the Word of God
Pray unceasingly
Trusting Jesus Christ
Sista C

Answer 10

How do you know that they don't sometimes give to the needy without fanfare? By the very nature of these verses, you don't know when a Christian is following them, only when they are not.