Serving God Out Of Love

0:00Welcome and thank you for joining us for today's encouragement from our daily bread on the 4th of April, 2026. The Bible reading today is Matthew, chapter 6 verses 1 to 4 and verses 19 to 21. Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your father in heaven. But 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 honoured by others. Truly, I tell you, they have received their reward in full, but when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving

1:07may be in secret, then your father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Do not store up for yourself treasure on earth when moths and fermin destroy and where thieves break in and steal. At store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and fermin do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Today's article titled, Serving God Out of Love, was written by Anne C. Tess. My dad was a hard worker on our farm and in the factory, but he wasn't a handyman.

2:12Sometimes when our tractor or furnace or plumbing failed, a neighbour or friend would fix it. Dad offered to pay even though he knew he couldn't afford as much as they deserved, but they wouldn't accept anything, they just loved to help. Thanks, he'd say, until you're better paid. I'm still not sure what he meant, maybe he or someone else did something for them later. Believers in Jesus who serve others because of their love for him will one day be rewarded. Perhaps that's a form of until you're better paid. Jesus told his followers to store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Being good to others may be one way to store up some of those treasures. He said, we shouldn't announce it with trumpets, if we do, that's all the reward we'll get.

3:18We can be confident he sees us. The Book of Hebrews reinforces this idea, God will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We don't serve for rewards, but rather because Jesus loves us and in response, we express our love and praise for him. What a blessing it will be to hear God say, well done, good and faithful servant. Let's pray, dear Jesus, I long to help others the way you want me to, please help me point them to you and lead me to live for your pleasure.

4:22Oh man, thanks so much for listening today, my name's Peter and it's been my huge privilege to bring today's encouragement that was provided by our daily bread ministries. At our daily bread ministries, we are passionate about walking alongside you in faith during lives highs and lows. Why not visit us at odbm.org to access our digital content more easily, create your own account with us and see more ways we can serve and support you in your daily walk with Jesus. Whether it's our day bread in the morning or the evening meditations at night or perhaps some resources on mental health, you can count on us to connect you with God throughout life's everyday moments.