Devotional: Don't Be a Hypocrite

Matthew 6:1-18 When I was a little boy, I would hear my mother and my older sisters say things like, “don’t shame the family name.” I learned that this statement meant that the family had a reputation in the community and that each family member was expected to hold up that reputation. When I was in the seventh grade I begin to really understand that not only did the family have expectations of itself, but other people did too. One of my teachers called me out in front of the class for my participation with other classmates and friends for acting out while the teacher was out of the room. This teacher made it known that because I was a Myles I was expected to be better than most other people in my academics and behaviors. I resented this and until I was in the twelfth grade, I did just enough in school to get by. When the valedictorian and salutatorian were named, many of my classmates were surprised that I was not even among the top ten in the class. Later, after having experienced some difficult times in my life, I asked myself the question: “Who am I?” The answer was, “You are a Myles.” With this new understanding I begin to make an effort to show my gratitude that God had blessed me with a Christian family. I no longer do things to be seen by others so that others will think highly of me. I now seek to do the best that I can because I have received God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness. This is the message that I desire to tell to others.