How You Give Is More Important Than What You Give, Are You A Cheerful Giver?

‘ “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

We are working into Chapter 6 of Matthew, continuing in the Sermon on the Mount. This sermon, the best sermon ever preached, reflects our hearts’ position regarding dealing with others the way our Holy God asks us to.

In Chapter 5, Jesus focused on our internal thinking and attitudes that we should have before God. Chapter 6 will reflect on our outward response to worshipping God.

Here are the links to the previous post in this series:

“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.

A generous, giving heart is one of the characteristics of a truly saved heart. Our giving is not something we do to gain attention for our “holiness.” We give because He gave everything for us.

We give to our church, and they, in turn, will fund outreach, ministry, and benevolence efforts to help support and build the Kingdom of God.

Giving is a form of worship. It’s not that God needs our money, but He has chosen to do His work through His church’s efforts. We are to be a steward of the resources that He supplies us, including the money we receive.

Our giving should be private. It shouldn’t be displayed to show everyone how “righteous” we are. Our giving should be from a grateful heart based on what God has done for us.

I often think about this when companies post pictures of them handing checks to a non-profit organization. It is more about boasting about the giving than the giving itself. It is a form of boasting or an effort to look generous. I apologize to those companies with a heart for giving, but how about doing without the accolades?

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.

In the next verse, Jesus assumes the true disciples will be giving. It is not if, “but when you give to the needy.”

Giving is a personal thing. Paul writes this to the Corinthian Church:

‘Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!’ 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

God is glorified when we give generously to help those around us and the world. If we give grudgingly, it is as if we never even gave.

Heavenly Father, thank You for all You provide. Please help us to understand that Your grace provides everything that we have.

I pray that You continue to help me detach from this world’s things and lean more on You for my provision. Knowing that if I submit my heart to Your Will, You will provide everything I need.

I pray that You use my gifts to help build Your Kingdom.

In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!! 🙏❤️