Episode 92 - Giving is... secret

Continuing our series of “Giving is,” on this episode we explore how “Giving is secret.” 

In Mathew 6:4-1, Jesus instructs us to, “…take heed that you do not do your charitable deed before men to be seen by others… when you do a charitable deed do not sound a trumpet before you… do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing that your charitable deed may be in secret...”

Here, Jesus also addresses the motivation to give – is it attention, credit, or notoriety? The Lord shows that those things have no place in the Christian lifestyle or in giving. In many parables, Jesus expands on this teaching. 

In the last parable of Matthew 25, Jesus describes two groups of people, of which one readily took care of the needs of others (“for I was hungry and you gave Me food…”). Jesus illustrates that giving was this group’s nature, and that this is the kind of giving He expects from His disciples.

In the Good Samaritan parable, Jesus explains that the Samaritan immediately responds to a need that he sees, not seeking something in return – he just did what he thought he should do. In a sense, Jesus Christ is the Good Samaritan – He heals, provides, and cares for others in the present and into the future; but He never said, “I am the Good Samaritan.” He articulates His teachings, His ways, in a humble way – and He is the Son of God!

Therefore, when we give, it should be in the same manner as the Lord Jesus. We do it quietly, but as a matter of course. We give, not for attention or credit, but out of love. It's fulfilling the two commandments: love of God and love of each other…