Thursday, 25 February 2021
“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…” – Matthew 6:2.
Giving is one of the dynamic subjects in the Scriptures that we tend to think we know and understand when in actual fact, we do only in part. Giving is the essence of love. Love gives essentially. GOD is love. GOD gives out of who He is. That’s true giving, giving out of who we are. It involves no pretense, pride, manipulation, or hidden agendas. That’s genuine giving.
Giving is a selfless act. A giving that comes out of a selfless self. Giving to honor, worship, and express gratitude to GOD for who He is and all He’s done for the love of us. Giving is selfless because it is other-conscious, an expression of care for the fulfillment of obligation to another, either GOD or fellow man.
Jesus says when you give don’t sound a trumpet, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, don’t do it to be seen, recognized, or applauded. This is so because genuine giving flows from the essence of you, of who you are. It has no hidden or secret agenda or motive. Giving is of the hidden person of the heart. GOD Looks at the heart, not at the deeds of our hands. Many today are called humanitarians because they want to appear so before men. It’s for recognition, status, and self-serving motives. Needless to say, GOD cannot recognize many of them, because they are doing it for the applause and glory of men.
These are hypocritical givers. They want to be known, noticed, and recognized. They’re giving to men and for men, not to GOD and for GOD. Their giving goes with their names, credentials, and statuses, not their hearts. They give to worship self or men. It’s idolatry and a reproach before GOD. Give in the secret of your heart and your heavenly Father who sees your heart in secret will bless you openly. This is the import of the matter. Today people give before cameras for all the world to see. Today there are tithe registers in the church. Today there are special recognitions and special committees for high givers in the church. This is antithetical to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Rightfully no one should know who gives what.
Genuine giving flows from the essence of you, of who you are. It has no hidden or secret agenda or motive
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