Wednesday, October 14, 2020

PT-2 "The Practice and Reward of False Giving" (Matt. 6:2)

 

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10/14/2020 10:08 AM

 

My Worship Time                              Focus:  PT-2 “The Practice and Reward of False Giving”

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                 Reference:  Matthew 6:2

 

            Message of the verse:  2 "When therefore you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.”

 

            “For some were supposing, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, "Buy the things we have need of for the feast"; or else, that he should give something to the poor (John 13:29).  This verse tells us that the disciples had their own money bag that they used from time to time to give to the poor.  The point in this is that it is obvious, therefore, that it is only giving “alms” in the wrong spirit that is evil.  The scribes and Pharisees did not do it in the good way, but wanted to bring attention to them.

 

            There are some who believe that salvation for the rich is easier because of the fact that they had more money to give.  “Pope Leo the Great declared ‘By prayer we seek to appease God, by fasting we extinguish the lust of the flesh, and by alms we redeem our sins.”  (Quote from MacArthur’s Commentary.)  It was things like this that upset Martian Luther the most.

 

            MacArthur adds “But just as a sympathetic feeling for someone in need does not help them unless something is given to meet their need, giving them money provides no spiritual benefit or blessing unless it is given from the heart.  In any case, no act of charity or any other good work can atone for sin.”

 

            We see the word “trumpet” in this verse, but there is no evidence that a trumpet was blown when the scribes and Pharisees gave money to the poor.  It seems to me that in the temple where the money was collected that there was something that looked like a trumpet that people put their alms into, so perhaps when the scribes and Pharisees gave a lot of money that it made a lot of noise. 

 

            What the scribes and Pharisees were looking for was recognition and praise as they wanted to “be honored by men,” and that became “their reward in full.  They have their reward” as MacArthur writes “was a form of technical expression used at the completion of a commercial transaction, and carried the idea of something being paid for in full and receipted.  Nothing more was owed or would be paid.  Those who give for the purpose of impressing others with their generosity and spirituality will receive no other reward, especially from God.  The Lord owes them nothing.  When we give to please men, our only ‘reward’ will be that which men can give.  Seeking men’s blessings forfeits God’s.”

 

            I think that as believers, we should do our praying and our giving in secret so that God is the One who will receive glory.  When we give and when we pray this way our hearts have to be right with God, and have no desire to show others what we are doing.

 

            MacArthur concludes this section by writing “Un fortunately, many Christian organizations use un-Christian methods to motivate support of their ministries.  When framed certificates, published names of generous supporters, and other such recognitions are offered to stimulate giving, hypocrisy is promoted in the name of Christ.  It is just as wrong to appeal to wrong motives as to have wrong motives.  ‘It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come,’ Jesus said; ‘but woe to the man through whom the stumbling block comes!’ (Matt. 18:7).”

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  To give my giving while I’m living so I am knowing where it is going.

 

My Steps of Faith for Today:  I trust that the Lord will answer my unspoken request I continue to ask for in Sunday school.

 

10/14/2020 10:34 AM

 

           

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