Christ-like giving

‘So when you give something to a needy person, do not make a big show of it, as the hypocrites do in the houses of worship and on the streets. They do it so that people will praise them. I assure you, they have already been paid in full. But when you help a needy person, do it in such a way that even your closest friend will not know about it.’ (verses 2,3)

Read Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Good actors work hard in order to give of their best when they take to the stage. It’s an important part of their profession. They enjoy nothing more than receiving an enthusiastic response from their audience. That’s their reward.

Jesus tells us that we are not to be like that when we want to help someone who is in need. Doing it to impress others isn’t proper giving at all. It’s just another way of trying to get something for ourselves, and he warns us against this. It’s another trap that we can get caught in.

Giving becomes Christ-like when you forget about yourself and you let Christ’s love flow through your gift to your needy neighbour. It means passing on to others what Jesus has first given to you. That’s giving according to Christ’s way. Remember him saying, ‘Whenever you did this for one of the least important of these followers of mine, you did it for me!’ (Matthew 25:40).

Lord Jesus make me a channel of your grace and goodness to all those around me. Help me to give as you give to me. Amen.

by Len Tscharke, in ‘God’s Peace for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2005)

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