In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches his followers about the importance of practicing charity and helping those in need. However, he also emphasizes the need to do so with discretion and humility, without seeking ostentation or public recognition. This valuable lesson is presented in Matthew 6:1-4, where Jesus warns against practicing charity with selfish motives.
“Take care not to practice your righteousness before men to be seen by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. Therefore, when you do alms, do not blow a trumpet before yourselves, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be glorified by men; truly I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you do alms, let your left hand not know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:1-4)
In this excerpt, Jesus establishes a contrast between two ways of practicing charity: the first, motivated by vanity and the desire to be praised by others, and the second, based on humility and genuine concern for others. He uses the image of hypocrites who blow the trumpet while giving alms to highlight the arrogance and falsehood of their actions. In contrast, Jesus teaches that true charity should be practiced in secret, without seeking recognition or praise.
This teaching is especially relevant today, in an increasingly individualistic and competitive society, where the search for recognition and social status can become a selfish and empty motivation. Instead, Jesus calls us to cultivate an attitude of humility and compassion towards those in need, seeking to help them in a selfless and generous way.
It is important to note that this teaching does not mean that we should hide our good deeds or avoid sharing them with others when appropriate. On the contrary, the Bible teaches that good works should be a visible manifestation of our faith and God’s love in our lives. However, Jesus warns us against practicing righteousness with selfish and hypocritical motives, seeking the approval and admiration of men rather than the approval and reward of God.
This teaching is reinforced in other biblical verses, such as Luke 14:12-14 , where Jesus advises his followers to invite the poor, the lame, the lame, and the blind to his feasts, rather than seeking the company of important people who can return the favor. He also emphasizes that the reward for these actions comes from God, not from men.
The importance of humility and discretion when practicing charity is even more evident when compared to other biblical passages that condemn arrogance and vanity. In Proverbs 16:18 , it says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit goes before a fall.”
Jesus begins this passage by warning his listeners against practicing charity with selfish and hypocritical motives. He uses the image of hypocrites who blow the trumpet while giving alms to highlight the arrogance and falsehood of their actions. These individuals seek the approval and admiration of men, not the approval and reward of God.
In contrast, Jesus teaches that true charity must be practiced in secret, without seeking human praise or rewards. He says: “But when you do alms, let your left hand not know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:3-4)
This teaching does not mean that we should hide our good deeds or avoid sharing them with others when appropriate. On the contrary, the Bible teaches that good works should be a visible manifestation of our faith and God’s love in our lives. It is important to note that the practice of charity is not restricted to just donating money or material goods. It can also involve donating time, skills and resources to help those in need. In any case, the attitude of humility and compassion must be the main motivation for our actions.
Another important aspect of this passage is God’s promise of reward. Jesus emphasizes that the Father who sees in secret will reward those who practice true charity. This reward is not necessarily material or immediate, but may involve a sense of peace, joy and spiritual satisfaction.
In summary, Jesus’ teaching about helping those in need in Matthew 6:1-4 is a valuable lesson about the importance of humility and discretion when practicing charity. He teaches us that true justice and godliness do not consist in seeking vanity or public recognition, but in serving God and others with genuine concern and love.
This lesson is reinforced by other Bible verses that condemn arrogance and vanity, which emphasize the importance of humility and meekness. By following this teaching, we can experience the true reward that comes from God, which is the abundance of peace and the inheritance of the earth.
