The Godly Way to Give

“Be careful! When you do good things, don’t do them in front of people to be seen by them. If you do that, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to the poor, don’t be like the hypocrites. They blow trumpets in the synagogues and on the streets so that people will see them and honor them. I tell you the truth, those hypocrites already have their full reward. So when you give to the poor, don’t let anyone know what you are doing. Your giving should be done in secret. Your Father can see what is done in secret, and he will reward you.” – Matthew 6:1-4

Sometimes, people would like to be recognized when they do something noble like giving money, donating items, or praying for people who are in need. In Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus teaches His disciples not to do things with the mere intention of public recognition. If they do, they will receive no reward from God (Matthew 6:2). He wants His people to be different than people who merely give to get recognition. That is why we need to do what God commands in secret so we will not get recognition from people but from God instead.

In Jesus’ day, the Pharisees were considered hypocrites since they did things as Jesus taught against. They gave to the poor and blew trumpets in the synagogues and on the streets so people will see them and honor them. They did these things to get praise from people. When a follower of Christ does good things like giving, they should be done where no one can see them and be done to give God the praise and honor instead of themselves.

When a Christian does what Jesus told His disciples to do in Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus told them there would be a greater reward for them instead of praise and honor from people. The gift that God rewards to His people is the satisfaction of knowing they are doing good for God's sake and not for their own personal recognition. Matthew 5:16 best describes it:

“In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven.”

Prayer for the day:

Dear heavenly Father,

Help us not to be a hypocrite since it is easy to desire public recognition. It feels good to receive praise from people. We know that it is not good since all the honor, glory and praise belong to You. You are the giver of all things including money and items that we donate to help others. When honor, glory and praise is given to You, then others will know You are God. In Your Son's name we pray, Amen!