THE SECRET LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN

Passage: Matthew 6:1-4

Key verse: 1

NIV

Giving to the Needy

6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.(A) If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 “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. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.(B)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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ESV

Giving to the Needy

6 “Beware of (A)practicing your righteousness before other people in order (B)to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

2 (C)“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may (D)be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have (E)received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. (F)And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Giving (1-2)

Giving to the needy is called an act of righteousness. It is something that we should do. God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others; he gives to us freely so that we can give to others freely. Jesus said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive' (Ac 20:35b).

2. The Father's reward (3-4)

The Pharisees made a great show of giving alms. They wanted everyone to see how sacrificial and pious they were. Jesus said that if one gives to the needy from such motives he has no reward from God. We must give to others as though we are giving to Jesus. To 'not let your left hand know what the right hand is doing' means that our giving should be for God's eyes alone. Furthermore, it should have no strings attached. We should not expect praise or even thanks. When we give before God, then our Father who sees all secrets will reward us.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be generous in giving and to give before your eyes alone.

One Word: Give in secret to please God only