“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others.”
- Matthew 6:1-4
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others.”
- Matthew 6:1-4
Do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the “hypocrites” do - The persons Christ has referenced to were the Scribes and Pharisees, who did all they did to be seen of men; whom he calls "hypocrites.” They lived on the public esteem and were excessively self-righteous and vain. They gave not out of a pure heart with good motives, but rather for the purposes of ostentation, gain, approval, and applause. God knew their works were in vain because He knew their heart just as He knows ours:
"I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve”
(Jeremiah 17:10).
The word "hypocrite" is taken from "stage-players," those who act the part of others, speaking not their own sentiments, but the sentiments of others. It means here, and in the New Testament, those who dissemble or conceal their real attitudes or opinions and put on the appearance of religion. A hypocrite’s private life always belies their public convictions.
James 2:26 tells us works without faith are dead; however, we should not do them out of obligation, competition, or vain conceit like the Pharisees, but out of love for God… for it is Him we are truly serving – not men.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:22-23).
When we do any good works, whether they are in church or outside, Jesus admonishes us not to be like the Pharisees, hoping every eye will see us; but rather to do them in secret, which will gain us favor with the LORD!
Jesus says, “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. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you”.
“Let not thy left hand know…” This is a proverbial expression, signifying that the action should be done as secretly as possible. In many cases, works of charity must be hidden from even our nearest relatives and our dearest friends.
Where do you stand? Have you ever done anything hoping to gain another’s attention? Do others see Christ in your work or do they only see you? Psalm 115:1 says, “Not unto us Oh Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness”. All of our works should point others to Christ! To Him be the glory!
The encouragement for performing our acts of charity in secret is that it will be pleasing to God. We should only seek His approval, not that of man's. He will see the act and openly reward it. If the reward is not granted in this life... it will be in the life to come.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:22-23).
When we do any good works, whether they are in church or outside, Jesus admonishes us not to be like the Pharisees, hoping every eye will see us; but rather to do them in secret, which will gain us favor with the LORD!
“Let not thy left hand know…” This is a proverbial expression, signifying that the action should be done as secretly as possible. In many cases, works of charity must be hidden from even our nearest relatives and our dearest friends.
Where do you stand? Have you ever done anything hoping to gain another’s attention? Do others see Christ in your work or do they only see you? Psalm 115:1 says, “Not unto us Oh Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness”. All of our works should point others to Christ! To Him be the glory!
The encouragement for performing our acts of charity in secret is that it will be pleasing to God. We should only seek His approval, not that of man's. He will see the act and openly reward it. If the reward is not granted in this life... it will be in the life to come.
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