Skip to main content
But when you give to the poor, don't 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.
Matthew 6:3-4 CSB
This verse is part of a conversation that starts in v1 where Jesus is letting us know about how we work out our religious practices, and then he uses the practice of giving to those in need as an example. 
The Bible his listeners read is the Old Testament, and it's clear about helping those in need, and Jesus isn't concerned about their giving, but the heart behind it. 
The heart that says "I have to give so what can I get from that? At least I'll get some social brownie points if others know what I'm doing, then I get something from following what God says".
Or something like that. 
Jesus is all about our heart motivation and uses this neat mechanism of giving and not letting our left hand know what our right hand is giving. 
Impossible to do, to not know. 
Jesus is asking us to stretch towards the impossible to do what is right because it's part of God's plan for our thriving as a community. 
It's what God has asked us to do and doing that from love not obligation is what he is about. 
And if I give (time, money, resources, support) without even me knowing, then no one else will either, and that honours the receiver. 
The person who needs the help of the community (and we all do sometime) is worthy of care, and this is how we love others well.
#wordsofJesus
#redletterBible
#lovepeople
#itsaheartthing

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,  for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see - such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. Colossians 1:15-16 NLT OK so this is an English translation of a letter Paul wrote to a church 2,000 years ago, but does it feel like Paul is wrestling with words and ideas to try and capture all of who Jesus is, of who God is, of how does it work that the walking around Jesus was also there before the beginning of the beginning of everything we can see and touch and know. Not only that but Jesus was somehow the agent of everything that has been made in the physical, social, and spiritual.  Jesus is at the centre of it all.  Walking around Jesus. Cooking fish for breakfast Jesus. Heart aching as he looks at p
Post a Comment
Read more
"Do not despise these small beginnings,  for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin,  to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand." Zechariah 4:10 NLT At the centre of this story is not something shiny, something new, but the damaged, broken down ruins.  Jesus met people where they were, in the brokenness, in their hurt, in the mess. That's where he was.  We can tend to hide away the damage, sideline it, perhaps feature it only when there's been restoration.  But this story says something different.  Jesus life tells us something different. God is delighting in the small things going on in the broken down temple. He isn't saying "when it's all fixed up and looking good then I'm interested".  No, He is invested now.  Right now.  Right where we are.  Come as you are to church, to community, to fellowship, to friendship. Jesus never sidelines the hurt parts, never says they don't matter, and we don't need to either... #smallbeginnings #t
Post a Comment
Read more
"Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware!  For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues.  You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers.  But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don't worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking - it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." Matthew 10:16-20 NLT Jesus instructions to the 12 Apostles take a bit of a turn here - it's one thing going out with no money or resources, quite another expecting arrest, torture, imprisonment, just so you can talk about Jesus.  However consider the attitude Jesus asks them to walk in as they go into enemy territory - smart yet peaceful. Consider the resources Jesus is providing whe
Post a Comment
Read more