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Matt 6:1-2 Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. Performance religion gets only what religious false-ritual and self-gratification receives: Only the recognition of people and not God. The fading glances of popularity soon dismiss anything done for self-recognition quickly. Just look at Hollywood actors and music stars to indicate that. In the case of the hypocrites of Jesus' time, He said their self-flattery only drove a wedge between them and God. They would not be justified, but He would listen to repentant notorious sinners according to the parable in Lk. 18 of the two men praying. The only thing they were noted for in that period was plotting to kill Jesus. The show was ostentatious, and the recognition was a sham. Their lack of humility canceled out their gift given. Blowing a trumpet to show what they were giving was hardly a humble exercise. If we are only trying to please God, who cares who gets the credit? Why are we out for self-recognition? God gives us the strength to accumulate money. All glory goes to Him. We are not to shift it and put in on us. It will result in our downfall and indicate how shallow our religion really is as it did in Jesus' day. --- Dan Nelson