Lesson 754

(Lesson 754)(09-12-13) Today's lesson is taken from the first four verses of Matthew 6;

"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

This lesson deals with one of the most important works a Christian can do, that is the act of giving.

First, a Christian is to go to extremes with his/her giving. We are reach out to care for the weak, we are to seek out and help those around us who are in need.

Then secondly, we are to do our giving when, where, and in a manner, so as not to broadcast it to the world.

It is very humiliating to be in a position of need. It is even more humiliating to have to ask for help. Therefore, we should seek out the needy, save them from the humiliation of being forced to ask, and quietly lift them up.

For the most part, much of today's Christian giving consists of going to "church" two or three times a week, and dropping money into a collection plate. There's nothing wrong with that, except that it is a very public display of giving, such as is in contrast with what Jesus says in this lesson. As a matter of fact giving to the Church is a good thing, and is also demanded of a true Christian, but only if it is done in the manner described herein.

Jesus promised us a really good return on our money if we give our time and treasure to His cause and in the manner prescribed by Him, Mark 10:29-30, "And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life." ~