Not for your own glory
Take heed that you do not do your alms before men, to be seen by them. The thing which is here forbidden is not merely the doing of good in the sight of men. This circumstance alone, that others see what we do, makes the action neither worse nor better. What is forbidden is the doing of it before men, to be seen by them, with this view, from this intention only. I say, from this intention only. For this may in some cases be a part of our intention. We may design that some of our actions should be seen, and yet they may be acceptable to God. We may intend that our light should shine before men, when our conscience bears us witness in the Holy Spirit that our ultimate end, in designing that they should see our good works, is that they may glorify our Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). But take heed that you do not do the least thing with a view to your own glory. Take heed that a regard for the praise of men has no place at all in your works of mercy. If you seek your own glory, if you have any design to gain the honor that comes from men, whatever is done with this view is nothing worth. It is not done to the Lord. He does not accept it. You have no reward for this from your Father who is in heaven.
1771 text
2. Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them. The thing which is here forbidden, is not, barely the doing good in the sight of men: this circumstance alone, that others see what we do, makes the action neither worse nor better: but the doing it before men, to be seen of them; with this view, from this intention only. I say, from this intention only; for this may, in some cases, be a part of our intention; we may design that some of our actions should be seen, and yet they may be acceptable to God. We may intend, that our light should shine before men, when our conscience bears us witness, in the Holy Ghost, that our ultimate end in designing they should see our good works, is, That they may glorify our Father which is in heaven. But take heed that ye do not the least thing with a view to your own glory. Take heed that a regard to the praise of men, have no place at all in your works of mercy. If ye seek your own glory, if you have any design to gain the honour that cometh of men, whatever is done with this view is nothing worth: it is not done unto the Lord: he accepteth it not; ye have no reward for this of your Father which is in heaven.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 26 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 6:1-15.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.