Matthew 6: Teaching about Giving to the Needy
1 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
It’s a quiet morning in Jerusalem as worshipers flock toward the temple. There’s a general buzz of activity from the street, but nothing unusual. But what’s this? Suddenly the air is rent by the sound of blaring trumpets! Simon, a local merchant who’s so wealthy that he can scarcely count all his profits, is parading to the temple to make a donation. Simon wants to make sure everyone knows that he is donating a fantastic amount of money, so he’s hired trumpeters and others to announce the extent of his charity. And Simon has good reasons. After all, scarcely one week ago, his business rival Abner did the same thing. Now Simon wants all Jerusalem to know that when it comes to charity, he, Simon, can out-do Abner anytime and anywhere. Simon parades grandly into the temple, casually throwing coins to the beggars that throng the steps. Surely, surely even God must be impressed by Simon’s generosity….or is He?
Sadly, Simon is a big hypocrite. The term hypocrite means “someone who feigns what one is not or professing what one does not believe.” In other words, Simon is a fake, an amateur actor who’s putting on a good show. Too bad Simon isn’t fooling anybody, least of all God.
As Jesus begins telling this story, most of his audience is chuckling, for everybody has witnessed such scenes multiple times. Only the religious leaders and the wealthiest members of the audience are standing there with their faces turning red, for many of them are guilty of having indulged in such practices. While the Pharisees truly believe in the virtues of charity, some of them have been guilty of advertising their giving publicly. Some Pharisees will even sound small bells when they are about to make a donation. Now Jesus is telling them, “I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.”
Adding insult to injury, Jesus proceeds to give shocking advice. 3 “But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Jesus advises that giving should be done so secretly and quietly that one hand scarcely knows what the other is doing. Some of the audience might be thinking, “But what’s the point of giving if nobody ever knows the extent of your generosity? What’s wrong with gaining a little public credit?”
There are several fundamental laws of the Kingdom of Heaven, and one of them is the measure you give out helps determine the measure you will receive. Jesus goes on to explain that the manner in which you give is equally important. If you are giving to bless someone without any thought of receiving credit, well and good. But if you are only giving in hopes of showing off for people or gaining favor with God, you’re in trouble, for God sees your heart and knows your reasons even before you do.
This teaching can raise questions for those of us who are supported largely by charitable donations. For example, donors want to know how their money is being used, but if we report the amounts we use monthly to support indigent patients and their families or students in health-related courses, are we boasting? No. The money is not really ours in the first place but God’s. When we report to donors, we are simply indicating how their donations have blessed people and the fact that we are responsible stewards of their donations.
What about quiet charity? There are the sums for which we have documentation and then there are other incidental donations. Sometimes there are also donations other than money. Many of the children who come to our hospital are not well nourished. We routinely buy breakfast biscuits (crackers for you Americans) with 450 calories per pack and hand them out in the Children’s Ward. Through the years, we have donated clothing, shoes, and other items. At times, we send cell phone credits when God directs us to do so.
Charity can have pitfalls. We frequently receive requests from individuals assuming that we have unlimited funds and should therefore grant without limits. The plain fact is that the money we handle is God’s money, even the money that comes as a salary or as Social Security. We pray over requests because God is the One who must direct us.
What are the rewards of quiet charity? We have been on the mission field most of the last 38 years, and God has continued to supply our needs. Several years ago, I earned a Master’s degree in public health from Tulane University. The Assistant Dean was well aware that we were operating on a limited budget; yet, each month I was able to make the necessary payments. At my graduation, this kind lady pointed me out as the woman who had come to Tulane on faith, for whom God had paid the bills.
Credit here or credit in heaven? When we give as God directs, we can rest assured that He sees and is pleased. But if we insist on flaunting our donations, the approbation we get from others is all the credit we will ever gain. Jesus was right. Give liberally and quietly, and God your Heavenly Father, who sees everything, will reward you. And God’s rewards are always far greater than anything we might imagine.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to give liberally and quietly, as You direct. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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