“When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” (Matthew 6:3)

Jesus encourages His people to give with anonymity and not let the motives of our hearts be known. He warns against practicing righteous acts “to be seen” by others. Good deeds are intended to be expressions of worship overflowing from hearts grateful for all God’s done for us. Highlighting our own generosity with the hope or expectation of being honored can take the focus off the Giver of all good things, Jesus.

God knows when we give with good intentions. He simply wants our generosity motivated by love as we give Him the glory, the honor, and the praise.

Daily Questions

1. How can you place the spotlight on Jesus by giving to someone in secret this week?
2. How can you give God credit while still accepting appreciation?

Daily Thoughts

Jesus, thank You for reminding us that giving to others is a privilege and a wonderful way to thank You for all You’ve given us.

Matthew 6: 1-4

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others 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 others. Truly I tell you, 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.”

Bonus Information

Matthew 6 is part of Christ’s well-known Sermon on the Mount. In this chapter, He emphasizes three things believers should do in secret: give, pray, and fast. In explaining each of these actions Jesus starts with a prohibition, gives a command, and ends with a promise: “Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

In contrast, hypocrites make their acts known “to be honored by others”. The word hypocrite comes from the Greek hypokrites and refers to actors in a play. It implies a lack of sincerity and genuineness. Jesus is emphasizing the importance of the motive behind our actions.