"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,”
One of the earliest problems in our society was the balance between independence and dependency. Americans used to value independence taking responsibility to face all situations in life. That circle expands in families which takes the view that our family will take care of ourselves, we don’t need help from anyone else. But as our culture moved from agriculture to technological and industry, the corporate mentality also moved to being employees with larger organizations, to work either their own job in conjunction with many others to accomplish someone else’s goals with which they may or may not agree.
Governments do exist. One of their purposes is to function for the welfare of the citizens. Public welfare includes: providing protection through armed forces, fire and safety management, providing roads and lights, protection from unsafe products, developing laws and executing justice when crimes have been committed. Health and social services expand from that.
Is it government, church, family, or individuals who are responsible for needs, wants, and services?
The purpose of wealth, according to early rabbis, was to provide the opportunity to alleviate the suffering of those in need. The poor did not have the capabilities of providing enough food, or clothing. When that was the case, it was compassion that helped them for basic needs. Besides direct financial help by individuals, a variety of other aids to the needy developed. In the Old Testament it was the practice to let those without glean grain left in the fields. Those who let them, and indeed even left some for them, were commended by the Lord.
The ones that live to be rewarded by men's recognition will only receive human recognition and that is all they will get, but the ones giving for the sake of love, honor and worship to God will get their reward by the Father. Jesus wasn't talking in terms of material reward, but the highest reward never comes to him who is seeking reward.
Receiving is more than money. Don't forget all we are and ever will be is because of others who have given to us in some way. We need to be grateful receivers as well as givers. We've received from parents, teachers, Sunday school teachers, etc. We have received most from God. To grow in our Christian faith we need to continue to receive from the Lord and sometimes from others for that is a way we continue to recognize that we are needy people.
We need love and we need rebuke. We need the support of fellow Christians and need friendship. We need prayers of one another and helpers. It is the one that gives and receives that can be a blessing to others. We do not need independence nor dependence, but rather interdependence with one another in the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, teach me to submit to whatever is best for the whole body of Christ, giving and receiving as needed to create harmony.
