Friday 11 February 2022
- Bible Book:
- Matthew
'So that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.' (v. 4)
Background
In Jesus’ day there were a number of things a godly person was expected to do. We will look at one today and one tomorrow. We see Jesus understood these were things that people were already doing because he introduces his teaching with the words "When you…" He doesn't say "If you...", which would imply people chose whether to do them. He says when you do this, this is how it should be done.
The action we read about today is giving to those in need. As with all the actions, the thing that ties them together, alongside the expectation that they are performed, is that they should be done in a way that does not draw attention. The opening verse tell us that we should not draw attention when we practise our righteousness.
In the case of giving to the poor it should be done in such a way that not even our left hand knows what the right is doing. That is secretive. The thrust of Jesus’ call here is that giving to the poor should become a habit that is done without fanfare. The gift is given not with a big cheque, or in a loud or showy manner. A gift is made because it is needed and it is given so that the person (or cause) may benefit without being made to feel embarrassed or indebted.
To Ponder:
- Do you give to those in need?
- How can we give to those in need without making it a spectacle?
- Is there a way in which you or a group of friends can unobtrusively share with those in need?