In what ways can we give secretly to honor God? Setting the Scene with Matthew 6:2 “Therefore, when you do your charitable deeds, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their reward.” Jesus’ words land squarely on our motives. Public applause may feel good, but it empties the act of its eternal value. The passage assumes we will give; the issue is how and why. What “Secret” Looks Like • Unadvertised—no verbal or social-media boasting • Unrecorded—no strings attached, no need for a receipt bearing your name • Untraceable—blessing someone in a way that makes it impossible for them to repay you Related verse: “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matthew 6:3). Practical Ways to Give Under the Radar • Slip cash or a gift card into an envelope with no return address and mail it to a family in need. • Pay the grocery bill of the person ahead of you, then quietly exit before they realize who did it. • Contribute to a church benevolence fund marked “anonymous.” • Cover a widow’s utility bill by calling the company directly and applying credit to her account. • Drop off groceries on a doorstep before dawn, ring the bell, and drive away. • Purchase school supplies for children in foster care and deliver them through a third-party ministry. • Leave an extra-generous tip and a short note: “Jesus loves you”—but leave no name. • Sponsor a missionary or child through an agency without listing personal details. Heart Check: Why Motive Matters “Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7) • Secret giving frees us from pride—no applause, no ego boost. • Secret giving directs glory upward—to the One who sees in secret (Matthew 6:4). • Secret giving guards the recipient’s dignity; they see God as Provider, not us. Promises Attached to Hidden Generosity • “Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:4) • “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his deed.” (Proverbs 19:17) • Rewards may come now—joy, spiritual growth—or later in eternity, yet God guarantees them. Living It Out Today • Begin each week asking, “Lord, show me a need I can meet without anyone knowing.” • Keep a small “quiet-giving” envelope in your wallet for spontaneous opportunities. • Cultivate a lifestyle of discreet generosity—time, skills, encouragement, as well as money. • Remember Acts 20:35: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” The blessing multiplies when only God tracks the gift. |
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