Matthew 6.1-4

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6.1-4, NIV)

While God is a proponent of giving to those in need, he also wants us to give in an appropriate manner. While receiving accolades for our giving may be self-satisfying, it’s not why we give.

Thought Questions:

Why do you think it is so easy for people to want to give in such a way as to receive some sort of credit or accolade for their giving?

What is the reward Jesus understands you will receive when you give to those in need (in contrast to public recognition)?

Try to give someone something this week in such a way as so they will never find out who gave the gift to them.