I am a Jesus pusher!!! In the Sermon on the Mount, the issue of charitable deeds is not about the deed itself but about the focus of your heart. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). The outward performance of such deeds focuses on “how much,” “how often,” and “what do I get in return?” Jesus calls us to the heart of the Kingdom, His heart. This is not a law concerning materialism. Jesus pronounced the scribes and Pharisees as hypocrites in this area. He said, “For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone” (Matthew 23:23). They meticulously tithed everything down to the herbs on their back patios. Thus, they prided themselves in their achievement of the law. The call of the Kingdom is a focus of your heart on heaven, which liberates your heart for generosity. It frees you to flow love in the charitable deeds.
Jesus uses the imagery of the lamp of the body is the eye (Matthew 6:22) to state this focus. What your eye perceives determines if your body is full of light or darkness. It is impossible to focus in two directions at the same time. “No one can serve two masters;” (Matthew 6:24). “You cannot serve God and mammon (riches)” (Matthew 6:24). Jesus is the Kingdom; your relationship with Him is the focus that brings light to your life. All charitable deeds must flow from your relationship with Jesus. Again, the issue of charitable deeds is not about the deed itself but about your focus on Jesus! I am a Jesus pusher!!!