Passage of the Day:
“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. 2 “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. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you, Matthew 6:1-4.
Reflection:
As a former teacher at a Christian High School, there were a number of secret donors who helped out my family over the course of a decade. Since my children received free tuition in my first 5 years, my putrid salary was manageable. However, when the school faced financial issues, teachers were required to start paying 10% of their children’s tuition. Without saying a word, one or a couple of wealthy individuals paid this for me each of my final 5 years. I had inclinations of who gave in secret, but I was never able to personally thank this secret donor or givers. This is biblical charity.
Prayerful Action:
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, Luke 6:38.”
Learning to Love this December as Forgave You:
Charity has become a publicity stunt for wealthy Americans, a way to rebuild one’s reputation. Subsequently, an agent leaks a potential donation to a friendly member of the press, getting cameras set up for a press conference which follows this charitable act. According to Jesus, the Pharisees had this concept down in the first century before cameras were invented. Before this fake attempt at giving became spiritually accepted in Jewish synagogues, Jesus corrects this flawed view with a public rebuke. As long as God knows who the giver is, each will be rewarded for their secret charitable act in eternity.
Song of the Day:
Final Thoughts:
May the advice that Jesus gives in the Sermon on the Mount inspire you to give of yourself this Christmas. As the today’s song suggests, give until you have nothing left to give.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 