“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Why do I do good?
Once again rigid literalism often distorts this teaching into something Jesus never intended. He didn’t forbid or discourage public recognition that affirms and thanks. He wasn’t insisting on super secrecy even from those who receive the good deed. If so, this teaching would negate his earlier words, “Let your good deeds shine out for all too see.”
Jesus addressed the attitude of the good deed doer. I think he was talking about these kinds of attitudes. “They don’t appreciate what I do for them so I’m done.” “I’ve given so much and then they treat me this way!?” “I’ve earned the right to have a say in what goes on around here with all that I’ve given and sacrificed!” “I didn’t get a ‘thank you’ so no more gifts for him.”
Jesus calls me to good deeds for one reason, to honor God. He’s got an uphill battle on his hands to help me reach this calling. We do good for a host of other reasons that distort relationships, devalue others, and ultimate shrivel my soul.
We buy love with our good deeds. We bolster low self esteem. We manipulate and control others. We pursue enough good to offset our bad. These kinds of motivations sabotage every good deeds, turning them into acts that dishonor God and ultimately turn others away from him rather than draw them into praising God (Matthew 5:16).
God calls me to generous charity regardless of the response others give. In my setting this means being a generous pastor, whether or not the people to whom I give my energy, spirit, money, or talents respond with authentic appreciation or any hint of understanding my sacrifice. In fact, it doesn’t matter if others respond negatively and walk away. I give, and give some more, only to honor God.
But alas, my motives for giving get mixed up too. Doing good purely out of honoring God is yet another high calling, yet another opportunity to fall short, and yet another opportunity to experience God’s grace and patient transformation of my deepest self.
Patient God, I commit myself to honor you in all that I do and grow to the point that my only motive is honoring you. I trust you to purify my heart in every way. - Mike Leamon
Talk show charity
This past year Oprah hosted a TV show called the big give. Contestants were given money they then had to give away to people in need. The winner of the show was the person who gave away the most money in a way that kept giving.
Celebrities give away money all the time, but it normally comes with a press conference. Jesus does not seem to condemn this type of giving; instead he presents a better way. Give in such a way God will reward you not others. It appears Jesus is encouraging us to give in a way that points the attention away from us towards God and others.
Could it be that Jesus is talking more about the heart of the giver than the visibility of the gift? Some gifts are impossible to give in secret, but can be given with a heart of humility. The motivation and spiritual orientation behind the gift need to be directed towards God, who then blesses. When we give with the focus on us, our reward is received in the praise of people. God’s blessing always gives longer and better than human blessing.
Giver of the first and best Gift, help me to give in such a way that you are glorified and others are served. Purify my heart that every motive and sacrifice I make in giving would be birthed out of a heart of love for you and your people. - Dan Jones
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