HOW DO YOU GIVE?
When Jesus uttered these words, he was criticizing those who give as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so they may be praised by others. We live in a time when there is much need in the world and an abundance of people who want to be seen helping. And it is not only in our time; it has always been that way.
One great philanthropist of the last century was Andrew Carnegie. In his day he was one of the wealthiest men in the world, having accumulated his wealth by means that were not always honorable. In his later years, he determined to give most of his money away. He funded libraries and museums in every part of the United States. Yet the institutions he made possible all bear his name.
This text makes it clear that Jesus would not have been impressed. Speaking of those who gave publicly, he said: “Truly, I tell you, they have received their reward.”
The message is clear. If we are to give, we are to do it as anonymously as possible. And the question that comes to us is: Would we prefer to give publicly and to be recognized publicly or to give secretly and be rewarded by our Heavenly Father?
Heavenly Father, we have so much to be grateful for that it would seem natural for us to be generous to those who are less fortunate. But we are imperfect and tend to forget that we are only stewards, not owners, of things that are ours to control. We beg for your forgiveness and will endeavor to do better. We ask this in the name of your son, our Savior.
