~3 min read
Matthew 6:1-4
“…God takes into account not only what we give but how we give…”
Alms are money and food given to the poor. Believers ought to give and support the poor as God has commanded and blessed us so abundantly. God takes into account not only what we give but how we give. There are some people who give to the poor to “show off” their generosity. During Jesus’ time, they would go to crowded places like the synagogues and streets to “perform” their acts of charity. Jesus called them hypocrites, because in reality they did not have the love to give but rather the love to receive the applause of men. Jesus said that such people had received their reward!
Believers should not behave in such a way. Jesus went on to say, But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: (Matthew 6:3) He was speaking in a metaphorical sense, which basically means believers ought to give in secret.
Dear children, when we give and help the poor in secret, nobody will know. But there is One who knows everything we do whether in the open or in secret. And that is God! When we give and help the poor by “blowing our trumpet” and let everyone know that we are kind, loving, and generous, people will approve and applaud us. We have received our reward from men. But is this the reward we are seeking after? Most certainly not! Instead, we want to be approved by God, and receive His commendation. Thus, we ought to give secretly, because though no one knows, God knows. Jesus said, thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. One day, when we see Him face to face, He will reward us openly.
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