Matthew 6:1-4, TLB-Giving to the Needy
“Take care! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, for then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven
When you give a gift to a beggar, don’t shout about it as hypocrites do- to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you in all earnestness, they have received all the reward they will ever get.
But when you do a kindness to someone, do it secretly—don’t tell your left hand what your right hand is doing.
And your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.”
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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C.S. Lewis, author
Author of the popular The Chronicles of Narnia fiction book/movie series,
C.S. Lewis was a writer, teacher, and lay theologian.
His books on Christian belief are read and quoted widely, years after his death.
Helping in Secret
Leslie Koh, writer/editor for Our Daily Bread reflected on this passage in a devotional from November 26, 2017.
He wrote about Denise, who mentored a hurting young woman in her church. She met with her frequently, counselling and praying.
But when a church staff member was assigned to work with the young woman, Denise felt overlooked and unappreciated.
Leslie reminded us that when we feel unappreciated (and all of us do at times) God recognizes what we do even when no one else does.
I think we might ask ourselves- What is my motive in helping others?
- To serve myself by receiving praise and recognition from other people?
- To serve God, to receive His reward?
- To serve others, obeying God’s command to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 19:19?
Helping the distressed
Recently Leslie reflected on the Christian response to the world wide refugee crisis. In this piece for The Christian Post, he encourages us to
not mistreat foreigners and migrants-embrace them.
“Some time back, people from abroad who work in my country started gathering on the church property for a picnic every Sunday.
This evoked a range of responses from fellow churchgoers. Some fretted about the mess the visitors would leave behind. But others saw this as a divine opportunity to extend hospitality to a wonderful group of strangers—without even leaving the church grounds! “(excerpt)
I hope we all find “divine opportunities” to extend hospitality and help to friends and strangers.
On my page, Share the Heart of Health, you will meet organizations that invite you to help them do good things for others around the world. Please visit it.
Learning from The Sermon on the Mount
This post is based on a passage from The Sermon on the Mount by Jesus in the Bible book of Matthew. Here are some other posts about that passage.
The surprising blessing of discomfort
How to be blessed, happy, and healthy
How to satisfy hunger and thirst
5 unexpected rewards by ditching a critical spirit
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(1 Corinthians 13:13)
Thank you so much. Dr. Aletha
watercress words by Dr Aletha 