Matthew 6:2-4
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. 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.
Luke 21:1-4
As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.
Devotion
In verses two through four, Jesus attacks the pride of the religious leaders. When the Pharisees wanted to give something to the poor, it was their custom to go down to a busy street corner in Jerusalem and blow a trumpet. Although the purpose was to call the poor and needy together to receive the gifts, it afforded a fine opportunity to let others see their good deeds. This is where the phrase “tooting your own horn” comes from. Jesus said that when the religious leaders do it this way, they have their reward. What was their reward? What were they after? They did it to receive the glory of men. They blew the trumpet, everybody came out to see how generously they gave, and that was their reward. Their giving was not between themselves and God. Jesus calls them hypocrites. One of the downsides to our sinful nature is that we have an innate desire to shape our image to others by making sure they know just how righteous we are. In this passage, Jesus challenges us to carry out these good deeds with pure motives and not try to leverage our good deeds for our own immediate reward.
I love the way J.V. McGee states it in his commentary on this passage: “May I say to you that giving is between you and God, and the very minute you get a third party involved, you don’t get any credit in heaven.” Just as Jesus gave His life as a ransom for many, we are called to give sacrificially toward others. Generosity must flow from a heart that has been transformed by the Spirit of God. Solomon wrote, “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor” (Proverbs 22:9).
As subjects of God’s eternal kingdom. We are instructed to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” and all these things (blessings of God’s provision) will be given to you. As we have seen throughout this series, as followers of Jesus, we are to reflect His character or likeness in our lives. As a result of salvation, the image of God is being restored in us. Therefore, just as God is a generous God, if we are accurately reflecting His likeness, then we need to be generous givers. Not only are we to be generous givers but quiet givers just the same. Jesus warns us about seeking the approval of others because it is intoxicating. If we have learned anything from social media in our culture, it is that seeking other’s approval seldom makes us feel good about ourselves. In the end, truth triumphs over deception.
Questions to Ponder:
Do you ever find yourself tooting your own horn? Are you able to give quietly without recognition? Do you feel the need to be validated by others? Where does your sense of value or worth come from? Do you find yourself often trying to impress others? Do you inflate the truth to get people to celebrate you?
Prayer Points
- Adore the Kings of kings, Giver of every good gift, the Lover of our souls, Sure Defense, and Strong Tower.
- Worship the Lord in all His splendor, majesty, glory, and honor.
- Confess any personal sins and sins of our nation (e.g., self-centeredness, self-absorption, greed, storing up for the things of this world, pride). Confess finding self-worth in recognition, money, status, etc.
- Thank the Lord for His forgiveness, faithfulness, grace, and mercy.
- Pray for the infilling of the Holy Spirit, ears to hear and heart to obey Him, and remaining sensitive and obedient to His leadership. Pray His church will walk in the footsteps of faith today.
Suggested Prayer
Lord of heaven and earth, I adore and love You, oh God. I bring You honor and glory, for You and You alone are worthy to be praised. I worship and thank You for Your kindness, generous heart, faithfulness, and consistency. Thank You, Abba, that I can trust You. I can come to You in every season of the soul. Thank You, Lord, that You are the God who sees and hears: You don’t miss a thing. Father, I ask that You cleanse me from all unrighteousness and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Lord, make me a person of truth, wise and discerning. Grant me a desire to please only You, to remember that You see it all, and You record it in Your book as a remembrance. Grant me grace and strength, Lord God, to seek Your face, commune with you, and be in step with Your Spirit throughout the day today. I commit myself to You, LORD, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.