Giving Secretly

Thus, whenever you give to the poor, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites in the synagogues and in the streets like to do, that they may be recognized and honored and praised by men. Truly I tell you, they have their reward in full already.  But when you give to charity, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your deeds of charity may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:2-4 Amplified 

Hush-Hush. Don’t tell anyone what you are giving—tithes, offerings, special gifts, charity gifts, contributions or handouts. It’s between you and God…it all belongs to Him anyway. 

I’ve spent the day shuffling papers, books, discarded items for Goodwill…and this is just the start. How did we accumulate so much paperwork in 42 years? Is it possible to condense it?  Does any of it deal with gifts or giving? Not much. But we do have to keep investment papers and tax records. And then there are photographs, notes, and old recipes from gourmet club that are more than 40 years old now. Is my time better spent doing something for the Lord or studying His word than looking at old papers? Get rid of it already…but don’t give the paperwork to the poor—they wouldn’t want it either! “Have a place for everything…and everything in its place” became my motto a few years ago. Everything belongs to God…so take care of it as He would…and don’t let it overpower you! I guess I can’t shout from the street corner when I get it all organized and reduced to a manageable amount. No one will praise or honor me for what I should have been doing in the first place. Organizing my stuff—and quietly giving useable item to charity.   

RSVP: Jesus was advising His followers, including us, to quietly give to charity and not make a show or production of it. Don’t call attention to our actions. How will you respond to Him today? 

Prayer ~ Jesus, help me to deal wisely with the accumulation of paraphernalia that is overpowering my life. As is written in Philippians 4:10-13 (The Message)…I’m glad in God, far happier than any one would ever guess—happy that my brothers and sisters in Christ are again showing such strong concern for me. Not that they ever quit praying and thinking about me. They just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in You, Jesus, for it is You who makes me who I am. ...And now I'll give quietly as You've taught.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.