“Be careful not to display your righteousness merely to be seen by people. Otherwise you have no reward with your Father in heaven. Thus whenever you do charitable giving, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in synagogues and on streets so that people will praise them. I tell you the truth, they have their reward! But when you do your giving, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your gift may be in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.” —Matthew 6:1–4
In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus begins to warn against hypocrisy and worldly-mindedness; sins that we should be ever aware of and on our guard against. It was these sins that characterized the lives of the Pharisees. Giving is a high Christian duty and yet we must be aware of the subtle sin of pride which can quietly worm itself into our actions.
I remember praying thirty or so years ago that I would never remember anything I did that was positive for someone else. I enjoyed doing things incognito. If something redeeming or edifying flowed from my hands or mouth, something sacrificial or encouraging, it was only because of the Lord Jesus within me. I knew that if I pondered prestige, thinking I should be honored or repaid in any way, that the recognition would negate the action as cause me to stumble. I disliked the thought of “keeping score” and wanted the freedom from myself and others to do or give as the Lord directed. And He answered my request. Unwittingly, I was living out the principle that our Lord describes in our verses for today. We are to live our lives for an audience of One.
“Certainly the Lord watches the whole earth carefully and is ready to strengthen those who are devoted to him. You have acted foolishly in this matter; from now on you will have war.” —2 Chronicles 16:9
Giving is a duty which is accompanied by great reward when not done hypocritically with pride. One can never out-give God!
“Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the measure you receive.” —Luke 6:38
The promise of Scripture will hold true for those who give to please God rather than man.
It is certainly true that the Pharisees practiced the duty of giving, but their motive was not in obedience to God or of love for their fellow man. What the Pharisees really wanted was the praise of man. They wanted to be able to boast of their piety. Their actions were purely for show, choosing to give where all could see. Praise was their pay in full.
Jesus tells us we are to conceal our giving as much as possible. We are not to dwell on how much we give or how often, rather we are to be diligent in keeping our actions concealed and private. We are to give because it is good work and not to receive a good reputation.
Become More
“Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or naked and clothe you? When did we see or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me.’” —Matthew 25:34–40
Find a way today to bless someone in some way in secret.
Further Reflection
“Self-conceit and self-delight, the adoring of our own shadow, are branches of pride.” —Matthew Henry