Matthew 6:1-4
"Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, 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 men. I tell you the truth, 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."
Questions to get you thinking:
- As you read this what are the first things that come to your mind?
- What does this passage say about God? about people?
Tell me a story about when you put this passage into practice. (Good time to remain anonymous!)
Tell me a story about when others did not.
* * *
So what else is new? What’s on your mind this week?
This really is an open forum, so jump in and express yourself!
37 comments:
The first thing I thought of was the one (or ones) who used to leave envelopes for us at church. Sometimes it was tickets for functions at church or camp that I never could have afforded to purchase. I know Ashley got to do a lot of things that way. Also every year a Christmas present was left for me at church. I never tried to find out who was leaving them, and it was because of this passage. I remember thanking God and asking him to bless whoever was so generous, who cared enough for us to lend a helping hand. I did quite by accident find out who was leaving the Christmas gifts for me and I have never let her know that I know, its just a little secret between me and God (I don't think she reads the blog so I feel safe in saying this). I always enjoyed this lady, really got a kick out of her, but being that she did this in such a way endeared me to her all the more and let me know I was right in thinking she was such a special person.
Love, caring and compassion are all action words to me and since God knows our hearts and sees our actions who else really needs to know? Many times prayers have been answered in this way. God impressing thoughts in our minds, which lead us into action. May I always be aware when God is talking to me, for what greater honor is there than to be used by God?
Annette
That’s really neat, Annette. I really appreciate you sharing it.
A few years ago, maybe it was our first fund-raiser for Winterfest, I watched a man put this passage into practice. We had a dinner, and I think Gary’s quartet performed. Everyone paid for the meal; several hundred dollars were raised. We also placed a box on a table in the back of the FLC for any extra donations. I watched a man, who thought no one was looking, sneak over to the box a put $100 bill in. He quickly moved away, assuming no one saw him. It was his secret service. I was glad that I got to witness what God sees all the time.
I read our passage for the week again, and then I started laughing. Why? Because I thought about what I did today at the very beginning of the assembly. I stood up and drew everyone's attention to the fact that I was giving $20 to the food pantry. All that was missing was the trumpet!
Great story Allen, uh the one about the donation not the trumpet, hardy har har...
I was wondering if anyone wanted to join in on the Martin Luther King walk on sunday afternoon in Bedford? After the walk the speaker will be a former IU bb player who is now a minister up in or around the Ellettsville area. I have joined in 2 times and its pretty nice.
Annette
Came across an interesting article this morning, “107-year-old Pastor Weds 30-year-old.”. Click HERE to read it. What do you think of this? If he fathers a child, then he has Abraham beat!
All I can say about the 107 year old man marrying a 30 year old is that one of his greatest needs must be looks for him to marry someone so much younger than himself. Very interesting indeed though!
Going back to the original post... I really like this verse it reminds we why i like to serve others and why i hate being thanked for it. It always makes me nervous when people thank me for something I've done for them because i really just dont know how to respond to their graditude being I served them out of my desire to serve the Lord and just planly because I enjoy it. Generlly, I try to serve others without them knowing it...
I think our best work is done in silence. When I am by myself in the quiet of morning for a short period of time before I got to work: that is the time I am more focused on God and on others. That is when I pray the best and when my mind is fresh I can remember the things I need to do. It is the time that I make plans for the day. Nothing is more abrasive that a Pharasee who blows his own horn or makes sure everyone knows how 'good' he is by a certain act he has done. When I think of quiet service, I think of three close friends, Sherry, Neva and Linda Gilstrap. Their humility and example are lights to me. There are so many others who do much without fanfare. Simple things like a smile, friendly hello or a pat on the back mean so much more to me than 'things'. Treasures on this earth are not 'treasures' they are people. There are many generous and quietly giving people who never let it be known. I have a sister who gives at Christmas annomously to those in the nursing homes and she is a widow herself with no outside income. I remember Effie Inman making sure we got her contribution to the church when she was ill. She had it saved in an envelope in her purse when we visited her in the hospital near her death. Her Social Security check didn't go very far but her first obligation was to God's service. Those people humble me to want to do better than I do now. I pray for God's grace to help me improve daily. Have a wonderful week. Sherron
Here'a a taste of Yancey’s Prayer - Does It Make Any Difference? book. I think he makes a powerful point.
David Ford, a professor at Cambridge, asked a Catholic priest the most common problem he encountered in twenty years of hearing confession. With no hesitation the priest replied, “God.” Very few of the parishioners he meets in confession behave as if God is a God of love, forgiveness, gentleness, and compassion. They see God as someone to cower before, not as someone like Jesus, worthy of our trust. Ford comments, “This is perhaps the hardest truth of any to grasp. Do we wake up every morning amazed that we are loved by God?. . . Do we allow our day to be shaped by God’s desire to relate to us?”
Reading Ford’s questions, I realize that my image of God, more than anything else, determines my degree of honesty in prayer. Do I trust God with my naked self? Foolishly, I hide myself in fear that God will be displeased, though in fact the hiding may be what displeases God the most. From my side, the wall seems like self-protection; from God’s side it looks like lack of trust. In either case, the wall will keep us apart until I acknowledge my need and God’s surpassing desire to meet it. When I finally approach God, in fear and trembling, I find not a tyrant but a lover.
The apostle Paul prayed “that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” I doubt Paul prayed this prayer once only; for my part, I have to pray it every day. The most important purpose of prayer may be to let our true selves be loved by God.
As I read this in light of our text this week I wonder: do we sometimes do our “acts of righteousness” not only to impress others but to impress God? What do you think?
Have you checked out our NEW ONLINE PRAYER JOURNAL? We hope to create a journal similar to the one generated by the 48 hours of prayer. We will upload some of its entries soon to encourage more prayers. Don’t wait, however, go ahead and pray!
Here's the word for the day:
uxorious [uk-SOR-ee-us] adjective:
Excessively fond of or submissive to a wife.
Used in a sentence: Todd is an uxorious man. Now, I just pulled the name Todd out of the air, a random selection.
Allen:
You can have your wooden spoon back! You are stirring it worse than me.
A very interesting scripture here and one that I have thought about before.
Here is an interesting story that has puzzled me in my adult life. In the small country church we grew up in, we had a montly "building fund march". On a set Sunday, the organist played some chosen song and row by row if you had $ to put in the building fund, you "marched" up front and deposited it in the plate in front of the congregation. This same concept was used for other needs too, such as any "special" need the church found. Of course it was so obvious who gave and who didn't, and equally as obvious as who put in change who put in the paper. This seems to be somewhat in contrast to this scripture.
This ties in somewhat, but something I have been really puzzled by the last week. In NY a man jumped onto the subway rails and through a series of events basically saved another man's life. The man who is now heralded as a hero, has said he didn't do anything anyone else would have done. He repeatedly says it was no big deal and he did not even think about it. Yet, he has appeared on the late night talk show circuit ( for a fee I would guess), reported has accepted large cash donations/awards, a new car, a trip to Disney World, etc. Maybe a stretch here, but doesn't this seem to be in contrast to the idea behind this scripture? Just a thought I have been thinking.
RR
Allen, If you hadn't made an example of your food pantry giving I wouldn't have put in the amount I did. I do usually give my extra gifts in secret. For two reasons, I don't want thanked and I don't want anyone asking for more! Not really, but I feel giving in secret or in Jesus's name makes me feel closer to God because he is the only one who knows you did it.
Wow thats great Diane, I'm so glad you shared that.
Ryan, I understand what you are saying about he guy who saved the mans life. It doesn't bother me that people are showing appreciation for his deed by giving him stuff. I would rather hear a story like this than all the bad stuff in the news. Also along those lines,a story has been running in the bloomington paper about a single mother whose trailer burned down and a lady who works in the apt where she is renting now did a wonderful thing by gathering help from her friends to help this young lady and her family. The lady is uncomfortable by all the recognition she is getting for helping her. I think its wonderful. By the newspapers and media doing these stories maybe it will give other people the thought to help out people in need when they encounter a situation like this in the future.
And Ryan your story about church members having to go in front of the whole congregation to put money in the pot makes me think of the lady in the bible who gave her 3 pennies......
Everyone have a wonderful blessed day.
Annette
Does Satan walk among us?
How can you tell?
How was your day? I guess I had a typical day, which means it was different from any other day I have. I got some good study in this morning in my office at home. This is one of my favorite things to do. I attended Tom’s sister’s funeral. Skipped running; still tired from 5 hard miles yesterday. Had lunch at home with Kedra; boring salad. Worked in the church office this afternoon. Chatted with the food pantry people; Wayne came by. One of my ACU classmates (started with me) is in the process of having to rework his doctoral thesis; he called and I tried to encourage him. Set up chairs for Weight Watchers (they pay the church $5 more per week for this service). Found out that our white van needs a $500 head gasket repair. Anthony came by. Went home around 5. Took Rebecca to work a wrestling match concession stand (student council). Ate supper.
I am now working on a Clergy Renewal Grant offered by Lilly Foundation. You can read about it HERE. If I am successful I can take my family back to Australia and New Zealand to see where I used to live, and Lester could see his place of birth. The grant would also give me some opportunities to really do some study and research that I presently do not have the time or opportunity to do. This would really enhance my preaching and teaching, which in turn, hopefully, helps all of us. I have talked this over with the Elders and they are very supportive. The application is very challenging, but I am going to give it a shot. I will have more to share about it later.
Here is a powerful quote from Dallas Willard’s The Divine Conspiracy - Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God. Writing about our passage for this week he says:
Desire for religious respect or reputation will immediately drag us into the rightness of scribes and Pharisees because that desire always focuses entirely on visible action, not on the source of action in the heart. The scribes and Pharisees, Jesus pointed out, “do everything they do with the aim of being noticed by others. They enlarge the religious symbols on their clothing. They like to have the most prominent seats at dinners and in the synagogues. They relish loudly respectful greetings in mall and public places, and being called ‘Professor” or ‘Doctor’” (Matt. 23:5-7).
The hunger for titles and public awards in human life—indeed, in religious life—is quite astonishing. The bragging and exhibitionism that goes on around the rear end of automobiles, the almost routine puffing of credentials and resumes, and much that passes for normal as part of our “self-esteem” culture, are part of a life with no sense of our standing in the presence of God.
The children of the kingdom, by contrast, are to have none of all this. “Don’t seek to be called ‘Professor’ or ‘Doctor,’” Jesus says, “for you have only one teacher, and all of you are students. And call no one on earth ‘Father,’ for you have only one Father, the one in the heavens. Also, do not be called ‘leader.’ The Anointed One is your leader, and it is not the leaders but the servants who are greatest among you” (vv. 8-11).
What a refreshing difference! But, unfortunately, if you have to bet on what text will be used for next Sunday’s sermon, better not bet on this one. The public forms that our Christian devotion take are all too similar to the kind that Jesus here pushes aside. You have only to consider who is lionized, and for what, in our local congregations and religious associations and media. We have much reason to be concerned about the effects of religious respectability on our faithfulness to God.
How do I know Satan is alive, well, and around? I guess in light of our passage I know it when I want a lot of credit and glory. Genesis 3 is really interesting. Why does Eve (while Adam sinfully, passively watches) eat the fruit? Evidently she wants to be like God.
When I want glory, honor, recognition, I sin by striving to take God's place.
We are told in this passage to do our good deeds in secret and not even let one hand know what the other is doing. Elsewhere we are told not to hide our light under a bushel but rather we are to let our lights shine so that others may see our good works and glorify God. A city sat upon a hill...
What's up with that?
Good morning Allen and everyone. The last statement struck me too and I have thought about it all week. I have some thoughts but probably not worth sharing. Allen I really appreciate you and your family and your humility and kindness. You are a breath of fresh air and one of the most down to earth ministers I have ever known (and you could toot your horn with all your accomplishments). One thing I thought about was that light makes no noise but it shines and that is what draws attention to it, in fact we focus on it when we walk into a dark room or walk down a dark street.
I don't think there is anything wrong with encouraging others to give as you did on Sunday. Your example was one we needed to see. I think when an action is wrong is when one need's to be the focus of everyone's attention for all they do and demand appreciation or rewards for doing what everyone else is doing quietly. It is more of an ego thing and the Pharisees had a true problem with that. Their self-righteousness was far from God's way and God's heart and I think their faith was acted out as a routine and their pride in their ability to dot the dots and cross the t's perfectly was offensive to God and separated them from the real people that Jesus chose to be the closest to. If we look at the example Jesus gave when He washed the desciples feet in humility, the job of a servant done by the King no wonder the Pharasees were angry. They wouldn't lower themselves to that level because of their pride. Maybe it all boils down to pride. I don't know. Looking out the kitchen window on Monday morning I noticed motion in the field and saw six deer grazing and running. That was my blessing and word of caution from God that morning (drive slower). We had a wonderful quilting class last night and really appreciate Rhona's efforts in helping us hone that skill. She is a patient teacher. Sherry & I stopped by the funeral home last night on the way to class to see Violet Wier, a very dear lady who was so kind to us (along with others) when we first started going to Central. A true lady. Taking the new puppy to get his second round of shots today and will enjoy the day off tomorrow trying to cut quilt pieces. The amarylis are putting out shoots and will hopefull bloom with the month. I love winter flowers. This is a good time of the year to do alot of things we are too busy to do in the summer. God sends his blessings every day in many ways. Sorry everyone, I didn't mean to talk this long. Love you all. Have a wonderful day. Sherron
The first thing to come to mind is when I give I want to write a check so the IRS knows and uncle sam can't tax me anymore than is necessary,They take to much as it is. I never have cash on hand. But that check I write to church has my name on it so someone has to see it to cash it, thats the only thing that bothers me. I don't want anyone to know what I give because it may make someone else who don't give as much feel bad.(not that I give alot) I feel whatever I ever give is never enough compaired to how I've been blessed . Even if I give my 10% I still feel bad because I'm only giving about 1% of my time when it comes to contributing to the physical needs of the church, but I'm trying to change that. Oh and allen I like that random name you picked out for the uxorious man. Come to think of it all the todds I know are totally subservient of their wives. Sorry if my article has mispelled words,punctuation,etc its the thoughts that count.
Excellent posts this week! Thanks, and keep them coming!
THIS is not related to anything in particular, but I find it fascinating. I think I am envious; not really sure about it though.
From Yancey’s Prayer book:
A rabbi taught that the experiences of God can never be planned or achieved. “They are spontaneous moments of grace, almost accidental.” His student asked, “Rabbi, if God-realization is just accidental, why do we work so hard doing all these spiritual practices?” The rabbi replied, “To be as accident-prone as possible.”
Allen and all:
Logged on today, hopeing Sherron had posted again. I think we should sign her up with her own blog or pay her to send out a church family email weekly. Would that not be cool! That would be so fresh and encouraging to get her wisdom delivered right to our in boxes.
Interesting article you linked. It would seem that having a memory of that magnitude would be a burden. Aren't there things in your life you want to forget?
Good discussion in class last night. It does seem like so much of this boils down to the condition of the heart and the attitude in the action. We seem to keep ending up back at the "heart of a servant".
RR
Matthew 6:3 When Jesus says not to let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, he is teaching that our motives for giving to God and to others must be pure. It is easy to give with mixed motives, to do something for someone if it will benefit us in return. But believers should avoid all scheming and give for the pleasure of giving and as a response to God's love. Why do you give? I believe that when a parent cooks a meal for their child, they ought to do that from the heart instead of expecting a thank you or a compliment back when they do this for a love one. I know that when I cook for Annette, I don't expect her to thank me but at the same time, I don't want her saying, "Gino, your cooking stinks". Since I love to cook, I do this from the heart, not for a pat on the back or a thank you.
Sorry I am a little late reading the post this week, but one of the things I have wondered about is...I had a co-worker who would tithe to the church occasionaly but most of the time her 10% went to organizations or people she encountered that she thought needed the money. Sometimes strangers, sometimes friends didn't matter to her. Almost always anonymously. So my question is do we need to tithe to the church and then give any extra to "others" or is it okay to use that money that should be given to church to give to others. Hope that makes sense?
I haven’t had as much time to blog this week as I would like, but that’s OK. We all do what we can!
We had a great “work evening” last night. Twenty-two people fixed about 100 chairs in about 2 hours. I had breakfast this morning (6.30 at Arby’s in Bedford) with Wayne, Duane, Anthony, Gary and Lester. I meet with this group periodically. It started out a few months ago with Wayne, Duane, and Anthony. I was looking for some help in trying to be a better minister/preacher. The meetings kinda evolved into a bigger vision-casting environment. We then asked Gary to start joining us. I asked Lester to come this morning, since he doesn’t go back to school until Monday. I want him to see how things work behind the scenes. Our little group works in concert with the Elders and other leaders feeding, and feeding off of, information. I really enjoy it. This morning was neat because David Fields was there getting his breakfast. He was able to join us for about half an hour.
I want to address the post about giving. I think our first obligation is giving to the church (as a way of worshiping God). Churches carefully construct budgets that need to be met. These budgets represent a lot of good works of service and support for others who do very good works beyond what we can do. I have no problem with people helping other people and other ministries, but I would like to see that in the context of a met budget. I think giving is really misunderstood. While we do use our giving to meet budgets, that is not why we give. I think it is an act of worship, a sign of how much we trust God. A good read of 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 will lead you to that conclusion, I think. Couple those chapters with all the other teaching in the Old and New Testament and I think you get a good concept of what it’s all about. Here’s a your big chance to sound off about money and giving!! Go ahead...
A little more Yancey:
Some see God’s omniscience as a disincentive to prayer. Why pray if God already knows? In contrast, Jesus treated God’s knowledge not as a deterrent but as a positive motivation to pray. We do not have to work to gain God’s attention through long words and ostentatious displays. We don’t have to convince God of our sincerity or our needs. We already have the Father’s ear, as it were. God knows everything about us and still listens. We can get right to the point.
Doesn’t the same apply for our passage this week? God knows the good work we do, so we don’t need to make a big deal about it. He sees in secret and will reward in secret. That is enough.
Why don't you toot your own horn about giving money to the pantry a little more??
Responses to the last post...
Don't make me take off my belt...
Didn't your mother ever teach you anything?
If you can't say something nice don't say anything at all...
Grow up
Why didn't you leave your name? Coward maybe?
That will be 10 hail marys....
Get a job....you have too much time on your hands
Next time please resist the temptation.
I'd leave my name but I'm not into drive by's
Hey, it’s great to have a laugh early on a Saturday morning! The last two posts did the job for me. I do plan on tooting my own (actually borrowed) horn in the morning, so don’t go too far off into sleep. Actually that would be funny, though, so do what you want. And if you don’t straighten up I’ll tell the Christmas Eve Geese story again! One more thought about all this: Some of you need to get over to the PRAYER JOURNAL and beg for forgiveness. I'm not telling you what to do; I'm just telling you what is right.
Here are a couple of interesting articles for those of you who have a little time today for reading:
The first one is about a film about evangelicals done by Nancy Polosi’s daughter. Click HERE to read it.
The other one is about training your spouse like an exotic animal. I learned about this one from Mike Cope’s blog. He said it was the New York Times (online) most read article in 2006. Click HERE to read it.
I am going to spend the rest of the day working on my Lilly Endowment grant proposal, which will allow me to take my family to Australia and New Zealand, do some extensive research into ancient Ephesus, and then visit the ancient city. If successful, all this would take place about a year from now.
Also today I am going to Bryantsville to work on installing a new grain cleaner for the corn project. I am hoping this will speed up the operation some, which will enable church groups to come in on a Saturday and bag a semi load (700 bags) of corn in about 6-7 hours. I am hoping our church family will do this some time in the next few months. I would like for us to bag a load and then load a semi. It would be a way we can live out our mission statement: We are baptized believers participating in the life of God for the sake of others.
Ben has a game at 2.30 but cannot play. He broke his thumb. I am the coach so I still have to go! My assistants, who actually do all the work/coaching are Lester and Luke, so I can’t call in sick. Oh well. Responsibility.
Gonna watch the Colts game later. I hope they win.
For the life of me I cannot understand why people write negative stuff on here. This is a positive blog. Constructive critizim is one thing, but to me that was just pure meaness. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Any comments on why people do that? I would really like to understand.
Annette
The 10 hail mary's was funny though and the 'don't make me take off my belt'
I really did like the geese story, the comment about that was more in the 'I personally didn't like it' spirit this other one just seemed mean. Am I misunderstanding the flavor of it?
Annette
Annette, I THINK the toot your horn post again was a joke... The follow up was the one that was really funny. I remember my dad saying stuff like that. And actually doing it. Ouch!
Okay okay, my bad. Lets just not have any more bloggers spats, it might cause me to take off my belt......
Annette
NOT to start any of the gender war again... But isn't taking the belt off mostly a man thing?? If so, Annette, your threat is not that threatening. ha ha ha (Don't hit me.)
And another question: what did men who wore sans-a-belt trousers say to threaten their kids?
Isn't it precious to be able to give? When I look around the world and see the incredible poverty and pain that exists it humbles me to know how much God has blessed me. It also breaks my heart to realize how selfish and self absorbed I am. People struggle each day to find food and I decide which restaurant tickles my fancy for the day. People live in refugee camps and huddle together for warmth and I decide if I want another sweater to go with the pile I already have. Sometimes in the quiet when I am seeking God's face, it frightens me to think that I will stand before Him and what will I say? But God, I didn't want to be too radical! After all, I have to live in this society and deal with my peers. But God, I gave to the food bank. I gave to the Regeneration store. But God! You really didn't want me to secretly sacrifice. Or did You.
And then I think of the scripture that deals with the sheep and the goats. Those that were cast away really thought they were pleasing to God. They pointed out their works as evidence of their service to God. It stops me cold and I cry out to God, "search me and know my heart, O God".
Thank God we are saved by grace!
The Sheep and Goats parable is interesting in light of this week's passage. The sheep served so naturally, without even thinking about it, it seems, that are surprised that their service was so important. Maybe that's what the right hand/left hand reference is all about? They just did it naturally without thinking.
Allen, first let me thank you for recognizing me as a woman.
Secondly, my kids weren't threatened nearly enough so you got me there.
Annette
Colts game is going to be 4:30 next week Allen!!
Haltime devotional!
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