Generosity

 Matthew 6:3 ESV

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 


In Jesus's days, just like nowadays, people liked fanfare when they were charitable. They liked getting recognition for their generosity. The reward for people like that is that others are impressed by them. 

On the contrary, Jesus commands a 'cloak and dagger' approach to giving. If we want reward in heaven, we shouldn't be looking for accolades on earth. We're not even to be all self congratulatory.

I'm reminded of the widow and her mite. The rich people put their sizeable tithes in the offering boxes, but the widow only had two small copper coins. God had more regard for her giving everything than the rich giving the bare minimum.

As the song goes, 'not what you give, but what you keep, is what the King is counting'. We're to be prepared to give everything for the One who gave everything for us. Jesus died for us; we're to sacrificially give too.

'Almighty Lord, may we respond well to your sacrificial generosity to us. For the honour of your name we ask, amen'. 


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