By Matt Hayes
Matthew 6:2-4
2 “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. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
A few summers ago my wife and I needed our air-conditioner repaired in our van; mainly because we were taking our family to San Antonio where it’s extremely hot. What we had originally thought was wrong with the air-conditioner ended up costing much more. When the repairs were complete and I was picking up the van, the customer service man told me the total of my bill. Then, he proceeded to tell me that I only owed half of the amount because someone had come in and already paid the other half. I stood there speechless for a moment because I had never had anyone do that for me. Plus, I thought, who would do that for me and why? I asked him who it was, and he told me the person wanted to remain anonymous. So, I paid the remainder of my bill and walked to my car. As I walked, I tried to think of who it could be that would do such a thing for me. Besides, who knew that my car was even getting repaired? I started my car and the song that was on the radio was “God is on the Move” by 7eventh Time Down. The lyrics that were playing were, “God is on the move, on the move, Hallelujah, God is on the move in many mighty ways.” Then, I had an “aha” moment. This wasn’t about trying to figure out who paid part of my bill, so I could give them credit. This was about someone giving in secret, so God would get the credit!
Matthew 6:3 reads: “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” You see, I always thought that giving in secret was referring to our giving to the church. But perhaps it is something much bigger.
I can’t remember ever being on the receiving end of being given to in secret in such a large way, so I was unaware of what that truly meant and how it felt. Let me just say that giving to others is a wonderful blessing. When we give to others, they will generally thank us and in the end, we get all the credit for being so generous. But when we do it in secret, we don’t get the credit. God gets the credit. God gets the praise. Isn’t that how it should be?
So, I challenge you to go and find a way to give to someone in secret, so God can be praised. You could pay for someone’s haircut, lunch, or car repairs. Be creative and let God’s love spread through your generous giving so that God will be praised.
Prayer: Dear loving Father, I ask that You would give me wisdom to know what to give, when to give, and whom to give to. Change my attitude towards giving I pray, knowing that all things come from You and it is from the overflowing supply that You have graciously poured into my lap that I am giving back to You. Give me I pray, a giving heart, a generous heart, and a grateful heart. Develop in me a heart that is filled with thanks and praise to You for all that You have done for me. Hear my prayer, Lord. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.