Matthew 6:2-4 Let Charity Be Free of Hypocrisy

Matthew 6:2-4

2“So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Jesus continues to deliver what Christianity calls  the greatest sermon ever preached. In verse one of Matthew chapter 6, Jesus wants you & I, to not seek righteousness, but to do everything to God’s glory. A Christian should have a charitable heart & want to share the love of Christ with all people who have a need, which will tell the brokenhearted , the Lord wants me to tell you, that you are loved. The funny thing about the word charity originated in late Old English to mean a “Christian love of one’s fellows, which has a history different language that root comes the  Greek word  agape (?????), a distinct form of “love“. Agape love is far from self love the kind love a hypocrite would have. The King James English Version of the Holy Bible puts the word in charity where a lot English versions put the word love, but it is all about agape love. 1 Corinthians 13, is known as the love chapter, & is requested to be spoken at weddings, I remember when my friend Matt tried to stress to his future wife, the scripture wasn’t about marriage, but they read the chapter at his wedding. The topic of  1 Corinthians 13, everything a person does for the Lord, in either having spiritual gifts, or faith is useless without charity ( Agape love). The apostle Paul repeats the words of Jesus preached on the mount. If a person practices charity by giving to the poor, without love, it is useless. Paul even says the practicing  charity does not puff up the individual’s  heart by giving the poor & needy.

1 Corinthians 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Every student of God’s word should know, that giving to the poor & needy, is not about self love. Anyone trying to make him/herself look good or to get recognition or go far to win a Nobel Peace prize, the Lord is not interested in . The act of Christian Charity is to show the world, the Lord loves you & will take care of His children then they need. Jesus tells His believers when we give for the love of others & not self, He will reward us.The word of God teaches if we give to the poor & needy, we are giving to Him. Ask yourself would you deny giving to your Lord which is the definition of worship?  I hope you take this to your charitable heart. God bless you all, the Lord Jesus loves you & so do I. Samuel H

Psalm 112:9 He has given freely to the poor, His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted in honor.