February 14
Matthew 6.2-4
2 “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 honoured by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Here is a time when the old Nike slogan fits, “Just Do It”. Don’t worry about getting credit. It doesn’t have to be known by anyone beside yourself. Not that it is wrong to get a tax receipt to lower your tax burden. That may not be the reason for giving, but it offers us a better ability to give in the future if we have the return on our taxes each year. The point is that the giving is not about us.
The announcing with trumpets is so that everyone knows how good the giver is. I may be very wealthy, but the poor know that I give to them, so they will accept my presence with its status above them. The other rich will see that I am generous and praise me, and likely even put me in better positions. I could be in places of influence and power because I give to the poor.
The announcing it points at the needs of the ones around us. There is a sense where we need to notice the ones in need. We can turn a blind eye to the homeless (or houseless), the ones dealing with addictions, the sick, the prisoners, and other Jesus told us to see and care for. But remember how he frames it in Matthew 25: “As much as you have done it to the least of these, my brothers, you have done it unto me.”
We are generous because it is a giving to Jesus himself. Giving of our time, money and talents to the one who gave his live for us. Our true reward has come long before we ever acted in generosity to another. We have received life already. Our giving is not going to put us in any better situation. We have the best situation already, belonging to God in the grace of Jesus. We simply act in generosity in response to the most generous act of grace ever. God’s forgiveness to us and acceptance of us.
Song – All I Once Held Dear
Prayer
Lord God, all we have, and all we are, is a gift from you. Help us to see these things of life as the gifts from you, to be used for you. Receive our gratitude in our actions of care and generosity for you and for your praise and glory. In the name of Christ who has offered himself for us, Amen.