“Do Not Let Your Left Hand Know What Your Right Hand Is Doing”

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

“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: 1-4

Criticizing that who made a show of giving to the need, Jesus taught His disciples a different way. Instead of making giving all about them and their generosity, He urged that giving should be done so secretly it’s like their left hand isn’t even aware their right is giving.

As one person’s anonymous kindness reminded me, giving should never be about us. We give only because of what our generous God has s lavishly given us. As we give quietly and generously, we reflect who He is – and God receives the thanksgiving only He deserves.

Giving quietly and generously reflects God’s generosity.

Our Daily Bread – April 2, 2018