Giving to the Needy

One Reply to “Giving to the Needy”

1. The first thing that jumped out at me on this verse were the words “practice your righteousness” where it seems “practice your good deeds” is better in context.

   Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. (NIV)

   When I review a host of translations, most agree with the NIV (or vice versa) and since the Greek here is dikaiosynē, righteousness (I’m no Greek scholar!!), it is consistent.  However, in reading the rest of the passage, the emphasis is obviously focused on not showing off good deeds, not making a show of how righteous you are in giving to the poor.

   Some things about human nature simply don’t change. There were those who wanted everyone to know anytime they did something great in the days of the New Testament and there are those today who act the same. Jesus’ words are pretty clear on this:

   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.

   I especially like the tense used here: “when you give” emphasizes that you will give to the needy…not “if” you give, “when” you give. This is what we should do, what we must do and honestly, what gives us great satisfaction. The key is to give from the heart and not with any intention of showing off what we’re doing.

   Lord, help us to be givers who do not need attention!

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