Reading: Matthew 6:1-4, 1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, 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 men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Job 16:19, “Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high.”
Golf's greatest feat is hitting the ball into the cup in one stroke. An interesting feature of the game is that a hole-in-one doesn't officially count unless it is observed by a second person. A lone golfer won't receive the credit and glory without a witness.
Sometimes I adopt a hole-in-one attitude: I feel that if others don't acknowledge my righteous deeds, they don't count. When I spend the day working hard on the yard, I point out to my spouse what I've done. Even at church I fill a need but enjoy telling others what my ministry is. When will I learn to be a secret giver? I'd like to be a contented servant, knowing that I only need one witness for my good deeds--my Father who watches me from heaven.
God not only sees us, but also reads our hearts. He knows when we give out of love and gratitude or when we give to receive praise from others. Only a selfless offering officially counts with him.
Think about it: Do you serve better when people are watching?
Can you be content in giving secretly?
Ask God to teach you how to look for His approval instead of the praise of people and secretly give to or serve someone today
REVIEW
What were you able to give to or serve someone secretly today?
How did it unfold and how did it make you feel?
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