"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
There was a clear principle in the Old Testament that was 10%. We call it the tithe. It was practiced in the Old Testament and was mentioned in the New. It was a legalistic way of giving that some people would judge their faithfulness to God if they tithed and there were other offerings above that. There are churches that set up an annual fund drive where people make promises as to what they are going to give in the next year. Calls or visits are done to help remind people what they pledged, if it wasn’t received. Some churches even send out suggestions of what each member family should give as a minimum. The ways of man vary even when it comes to financing a church.
None of that makes a difference to Jesus. Jesus looks at the motives of the heart. That is why the widow’s two mites were more important than the large sums the wealthy were giving in the temple. She gave all she had, while the rich man gave a great gift, but it was a very little percentage of his money.
In addition to the attitude there is also the understanding that if you love God and others you will give. We have a benevolent fund as part of our budget, but we have special funds as well: for the food shelf, World Relief, and special offerings. Verse 2 doesn't say “if” you give to the needy do not brag about it, but rather “when” you give. That implies two things: 1) give. 2) give as unto the Lord which is nobody's business but yours and the Lords - but it is His business. That follows His statement on love.
Giving shows care, concern and commitment. We give because we love and are people motivated by compassion and care. Love is intangible. Giving becomes a tangible expression of love. Giving helps us demonstrate what we say when we say, “It isn't the gift it's the thought that counts.”. The gift is the visible expression of the thought. Without the gift the thought is just that - a thought.
We give because Jesus gave to us. God's gift in Jesus didn't stop at the manger. His love toward us is expressed by His most generous giving nature. Romans 5:32 "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him graciously give us all things?" He continues to give us what is necessary. What He asks of us is that we give ourselves to Him.
Application: When you give, give from your heart.
Prayer: Lord, teach me to be a cheerful giver from a heart filled with Your love, looking only to do what is pleasing In Your sight.
