“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. Matthew 6:2-4
“In a society without social security or welfare, voluntary charity and donations for the destitute formed a key part of ancient Jewish life and remained an important virtue enjoined upon the righteous. But it was easy to abuse almsgiving by making it plain to others how generous the person was and thus receiving their adulation.
It is not clear whether the trumpets “in the synagogues and on the streets” were literal or metaphorical (cf. our expression “blow your own horn”)…But Jesus’ point is unambiguous: His followers must not parade their piety or show off their good deeds. Such ostentation nullifies the possibility of any spiritual benefit for the almsgiver.
The positive alternative Jesus commands is that we should give in such a way that there is no temptation for others to glorify the giver rather than God. Jesus’ language again is figurative and does not imply that we must not keep track of giving or that we be irresponsible in stewardship of finances or refuse to disclose how we spend our money for the sake of demonstrating financial accountability. Jesus was simply explaining that the motive for charity must not be the desire for praise from others.
In striking contrast stands the common approach to fund raising in many churches and Christian organizations in which lists of benefactors are published, often as an incentive for people to give. This kind of motive for giving or soliciting reflects hypocrisy, pretending to honor God when in fact one is distracting attention from him. The reward humans can offer obviously refers to acclaim in this life, so the reward God will bestow or withhold, probably also refers to spiritual benefit and growth in holiness in this life.
Craig Blomberg in Matthew (NAC; Nashville: Broadman, 1992) 116-117.
A close friend asked me for clarity on this text, so over the next few days, I will post thoughts from leading New Testament scholars to share what they have learned in their research. Blomberg is a brilliant brother and friend, so I started with thoughts from his Matthew commentary.
Jesus directs our focus and attention inwardly rather than outwardly in setting forth instructions on almsgiving in the heart of the Sermon on the Mount. He cares about our motives! Our motivation for grace-based giving to the destitute and needy must not be to receive glory but to reflect it, all of it, to God.
Additionally, what the text does not teach is careless and irresponsible stewardship. Seriously, I have heard stories of both men and women who have made large gifts without letting their spouse know what they were doing, and the result was marital strife.
Last night we were privileged to visit the crisscross palm trees of In-N-Out Burger in Dallas (pictured above). Today we are reminded afresh that God looks at our hearts and cares about the motive for our charity. What does He see when He looks into your heart?
Tomorrow we will look more deeply into the historical setting and discover what may be behind the “left hand…right hand” expression. Stay tuned.