Summer on the Mount - Proper Generosity: Matthew 6:1-4

Proper Generosity - Matthew 6:1-4How we give matters. Of course, giving matters to God, but Jesus reminds us that how we give matters even more. The passage today goes back to the words of Jesus that we must exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees. We do this in type, not degree, meaning we live out of the righteousness we have received in Christ, not to prove ourselves righteous before others.
Anytime we meet a need or give to others, we must be careful that it is not for outward show. God cares deeply about the heart’s motive in why we do what we do. It all comes back to the heart.
People who originally heard Jesus saying this would have been familiar with the language he used, but challenged deeply by his words. Jesus addresses something familiar to many Jewish families, the giving of alms to care for the poor and others in need. While being instructed to give to the poor is a good thing, the religious leaders failed to address the mindset of the giver.
Pointing beyond outward actions, Jesus borrows from a language familiar to those who went to the theater and watched actors. The term for “hypocrites” points to the role of actors who pretend to be someone different than who they truly are. Jesus’ warning is strong here because any of us can do good things to put on a show, but it is not a show God wants to see.
You can even give generously and still be doing so with selfish motives. In Matthew 5:16, Jesus reminds us to “let our light shine before others,” so that they will “give glory to your Father in heaven.” In carrying out good works, for some the struggle is boldness, and for others the struggle is pride. We are to shine when tempted to hide. We are to hide when we are tempted to shine.
Before giving, Jesus wants us to consider the why. He illustrates this by saying we are not to let our left hand know what our right hand is doing. That means it is about more than what our hand is doing, it is about what are heart is thinking. Lack of focus in self in giving is like trying to clap with one hand, meaning we can give in a way that doesn’t applaud ourselves, but glorifies God. May God be glorified in how we live, love, serve, and give!
Discussion Questions:

• Are there places in your life that this passage speaks to or challenges you specifically?

• You have probably heard the quote from Shakespeare saying, “all the world’s a stage”, but how can we use the stage of our lives for God’s glory and not our own?

• Many times, we can give and not be aware of our heart posture. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” How can we practically carry this out in areas of giving and serving others?

• Every act of real love is rewarded when a need is met. How can we seek out and meet the needs of someone else this week?

• Giving to the Pharisees became more about a means of earning our salvation. How should we reverse that mindset and see it as an overflow of God’s gift of salvation in our lives?

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