Quiet Charity

Chapter 5 of Matthew was all about your physical relationship to man. In this chapter of Matthew, we begin the subject of our relationship with God. The first set of verses deals with charitable deeds. It seems that in our world, when a man does a good deed, he wishes all to see. Just look at important buildings that are named after the chief contributors. Can you imagine going to an institution and studying in "Foster Hall"?

Jesus had a lot to say about charitable deeds. Realize as well, that the original language deals with the giving of alms or offerings of monetary value.

"Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from our Father in heaven." Matthew 6:1, NKJV

Jesus begins chapter 6 by subtly speaking about rewards. Jesus never encourages not to do good deeds in front of other people, what He states focuses on is the intent of the heart. We as human beings long to be recognized. What better way to be recognized than for philanthropy? There is a consequence to exposed philanthropy, our reward in heaven is lost. Go desires to bless His children for their good deeds, but if we do them to receive a temporary pat on the back then our reward is fleeting.

"Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward." Matthew 6:2, NKJV

Whether or not the rich of Jesus' time actually had trumpet players going before them is still a bit of speculation. It could be that the Lord was just using very strong language to portray a very real truth. There was something to be said concerning this issue later in Jesus' ministry. In the Gospels of Mark 12 and Luke 21, a widow drops two mites into the offering. Without the disciples even asking Jesus immediately taught them saying, "Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in an offering for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood she had." (Luke 21:3-4, NKJV) It is without a doubt that the widow gave up her two mites quietly, but Jesus rewarded her openly. Had she announced her deed, no doubt she would have been ridiculed. Where would her reward be then? It would definitely be lost.

"But when you do a charitable deed, do not know what your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly." Matthew 6:3-4, NKJV

The idea that Jesus is trying to portray is plain, do it in secret. It is virtually impossible to not allow your left hand to know what the right one is doing. Just do what you do in secret, because the Lord sees and He wants to openly reward you. Can you imagine the Creator of the universe sitting on the edge of His seat waiting to bless you? He sees everything done in secret and He rewards openly.