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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