“But when you
do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is
doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in
secret will Himself reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:3-4 NKJ)
do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is
doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in
secret will Himself reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:3-4 NKJ)
Most of us know the
story of the widow who gave her “mite.” And some will remember that
Christ taught us to give without thinking too much about it. Certainly, we know
that Paul taught us to sow monetary seeds cheerfully.
story of the widow who gave her “mite.” And some will remember that
Christ taught us to give without thinking too much about it. Certainly, we know
that Paul taught us to sow monetary seeds cheerfully.
Throughout the
Gospel narratives we hear Jesus say, “your righteousness must be better
than that of the Pharisees.” And in today’s passage, once again, we get
that message. Don’t allow your vanity and pride to drive your charity. Don’t
give out of desire for recognition and public opinion. Don’t make a spectacle
of your giving.
Gospel narratives we hear Jesus say, “your righteousness must be better
than that of the Pharisees.” And in today’s passage, once again, we get
that message. Don’t allow your vanity and pride to drive your charity. Don’t
give out of desire for recognition and public opinion. Don’t make a spectacle
of your giving.
Financial Times columnist, Tim Harford wrote,
“the closer you look at charitable giving, the less charitable it
appears.” Many polls and studies reveal that a charitable group can
actually raise more money by selling lottery tickets than by simply asking for
a donation. We may conclude that for many people, charity involves a
“something-for-me” element.
“the closer you look at charitable giving, the less charitable it
appears.” Many polls and studies reveal that a charitable group can
actually raise more money by selling lottery tickets than by simply asking for
a donation. We may conclude that for many people, charity involves a
“something-for-me” element.
God seems to be
nudging me about my motivation for charity. “do not let your right hand
know what your left hand is doing.” He desires my charitable deeds to be
pure. Charity is not pure unless my motivation is pure. If I take too much time
to think about and consider it (i.e., letting both hands know and agree), then
something impure happens and my charitable deed becomes polluted.
nudging me about my motivation for charity. “do not let your right hand
know what your left hand is doing.” He desires my charitable deeds to be
pure. Charity is not pure unless my motivation is pure. If I take too much time
to think about and consider it (i.e., letting both hands know and agree), then
something impure happens and my charitable deed becomes polluted.
Of course, Jesus is not saying that we should give no thought
regarding our charity. Yet, his instructions to do our “charitable
deeds” secretly, speaks directly to our personal motivation in giving. He reminds me that our
Heavenly Father, who knows my heart, sees my giving. If I do it secretly,
between me and God, then he will take care of my rewards.
regarding our charity. Yet, his instructions to do our “charitable
deeds” secretly, speaks directly to our personal motivation in giving. He reminds me that our
Heavenly Father, who knows my heart, sees my giving. If I do it secretly,
between me and God, then he will take care of my rewards.
A good examination
may start with some questions. Would I still give, if no one but God ever knew
I had given? Is my charitable giving
centered in God? Does my motivation for giving please the Lord? “Your
Father who sees in secret will himself reward you openly.”
may start with some questions. Would I still give, if no one but God ever knew
I had given? Is my charitable giving
centered in God? Does my motivation for giving please the Lord? “Your
Father who sees in secret will himself reward you openly.”
Dear Father, thank
you for giving unselfishly to all of us. Empower me to give with pure
motivation. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for giving unselfishly to all of us. Empower me to give with pure
motivation. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Give today with pure
motivation,
motivation,