Giving on the quiet

Jesus said: 'When you do good deeds, don't try to show off. If you do, you won't get a reward from your Father in Heaven. When you give to the poor, don't blow a loud horn. That's what show-offs do...they are always looking for praise. I can assure you that they already have their reward. When you give to the poor, don't let anyone know about it. Then your gift will be given in secret. Your Father knows what is done in secret and will reward you' (Matthew 6:1-4 CEV).

Our giving is nobody's business but ours and God's. And if we make it somebody's business, we immediately have our reward and forfeit the opportunity to receive something greater when we arrive in Heaven. And we will receive it because, 'God...will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people' (Hebrews 6:10 NIV). Others may not notice our generosity, or quickly forget it, but God won't, and he will reward us for it.

The next time we're sitting in church, let's take note of the faithful people around us who've given and given again without letting it be known. Every Sunday we rub shoulders with some of the greatest givers of our day, and they do it 'as to the Lord' (Colossians 3:23 NKJV) by keeping it to themselves and waiting for his promised reward. Others may never know - but God will never forget.



So what now? Give generously and gladly but keep it to yourself. Enjoy watching God change people's lives through you.





— SCRIPTURE —

'When you give...don't shout about it.' Matthew 6:2 TLB
— SOULFOOD —

Job 40-42, Luke 19:37-44, Ps 69:1-18 , Pro 8:27-29