February 26
Matthew 6.1-4
1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 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 honored 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.
Two things are being let go here. In generosity we let go of the privileges of our wealth so that those in need may have enough. An important piece of restoring order in the world. Making sure that we can all have enough. Reversing the current disorder where we have too much (yet pointing at those with more as the real problem, which we cannot control). The current disorder where many have too little, bordering on nothing.
In humility we let go of the praise that could come for our generosity. Not making it about how good we are for working to restore order. Keeping it about the restoration of others who have needs. This is a pattern that Jesus held often. Telling the disciples in our text yesterday, “Don’t tell anyone about me” when they had made the statement about Jesus being the Messiah. Seeing in several places where Jesus would tell people who were healed to tell no one. Jesus kept it about the people who needed him then, and now.
We first keep it about following Jesus, not about ourselves. Being those who make it our first priority to become more like Jesus. To be keeping our eyes focused on him, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12.1-2).
Then we keep it about our life, and even more, the life of the church together, being for the sake of the world around us. Following Jesus’ example of caring about the world so much that our own life is used for the sake of others.
We let go of what we see as ours for the sake of Jesus and the world that needs Jesus. Giving of our wealth and our time. Using our lives to bring grace. Becoming like Jesus as we follow him.
Song – This Little Light of Mine
Prayer
O God, you spoke your Word and revealed your good news in Jesus, the Christ. Fill all creation with that Word again so that by proclaiming your joyful promises to all nations and singing of your glorious hope to all peoples, we may become one living body, your incarnate presence on the earth. Amen.