

Making a show of righteous acts is like demonstrating letting air out of a balloon. In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches that we should not boast in our giving to the poor, when we pray, or when we fast. It is unpleasant to be around people who brag about their good works. This may seem to contradict the commandment to let our light shine as it says in Matthew 5:14-16. The manual reminds us, "We don't sin when others see our good works unless we do them hypocritically or pridefully, merely to be seen." Our motives matter.
Matthew 6:24 teaches us that we can't serve God and riches, or worldliness. To demonstrate this, I put the words "Worldly Things" and "Heavenly Things" on opposite walls. We can't focus on both at the same time. If we focus on Worldly Things, that's all we see. If we focus on Heavenly Things, as the words on the window demonstrate, we have a greater perspective on the worldly things and we are blessed with what we need. (In the window, you can barely see the "Worldly Things" on the wall opposite, to the right of the bulletin board.) The Joseph Smith translation of Matthew 6:33 says, "Wherefore, seek not the things of this world but seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God and to establish his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Matthew 6:24 teaches us that we can't serve God and riches, or worldliness. To demonstrate this, I put the words "Worldly Things" and "Heavenly Things" on opposite walls. We can't focus on both at the same time. If we focus on Worldly Things, that's all we see. If we focus on Heavenly Things, as the words on the window demonstrate, we have a greater perspective on the worldly things and we are blessed with what we need. (In the window, you can barely see the "Worldly Things" on the wall opposite, to the right of the bulletin board.) The Joseph Smith translation of Matthew 6:33 says, "Wherefore, seek not the things of this world but seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God and to establish his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."


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