The Manner of Charity 6:1-4

The Manner of Charity Matthew 6:1-4

The sermon on the mount continues, in chapter 5, Jesus gave these illustrations of the power of sin and true righteousness. That if we would fulfill the law, we would have to fulfill all of it.

Then He gave us 6 illustrations of sin beginning in the heart of a person, rather than simply from deeds.

However, Jesus now addresses what righteousness looks like in action. What it is when we do it.

I’ve entitled chapter 6, Mind Your Manner, because Jesus instructs them to In this manner, therefore pray…in verse 9 and gives us the manner of how we live out this practical righteousness. Today we see the Manner of Charity 1-4, then Prayer 5-15, Fasting 16-18, Money 19-24, Worry 25-34.

As I said, this is more of a spiritual look at practical actions. Whats our intention. Jesus also again, confronts the righteous acts of Jewish piety that the Pharisees promoted Almsgiving, Prayer, Fasting.

Lets read our text for today.

Matthew 6:1–4 “ “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”

Here Jesus makes it plain that how we do a thing, how we Mind our Manner, shows the intention or heart of that act.

Lets examine it.

Matthew 6:1 “ “Take heed - this is plainly a warning. To be on alert. Be careful.

When we are warned specifically from jesus I want to do it. This approaches commands, and we know, Jesus said our love for Him means obeying His commands. (Jn 14:15)

the intention of our deeds is important.

that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them.

Charitable deeds - eleēmosynē - to give to those in need as an act of mercy—‘acts of charity, alms, giving to the needy.’ A lot of times we hear charity and associate it with alms. Helping people with money. But even giving someone bread or water might also be considered giving.

Don’t you think of all the videos on tiktok, insta and fb, with everyone filming their helping others.

promoting or performing is really what this is, and when you are praised by “men”, now how do we achieve this? We’ll look in a moment.

This seems to to be an indication that Charitable giving it be expected. Its not if, but when. Its expected of us to help others.

Matt 23:5 we are told that the Pharisees specifically did their works to be seen by men so we don’t want to imitate anything they did. There is a reason we want to avoid this -

Otherwise -

you have no reward from your Father in heaven.”

This is a sobering statement.

notice what this isn't. This isn't salvation. If you give money to folks just looking to get a name for yourself, it doesn't mean you wont go to heaven. Plus he says, your father. Not every person is a son of God. John plainly states that that live in sin are devils kids. 1 John 3:8 “ He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:10 “ In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.”

but it does plainly mean that you wont get any kind of reward from the Lord. We’ll explore this more in the therefore part

We’ll also explore that benefit we can receive from “men”.

Matthew 6:2 “ Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.”

So like we said, when we do things to be seen and praised by men, what are we doing? To be a hypocrite means you are a follower who is putting on a false face. hypokrites - one who pretends who he is. puts on the sad face. An actor.

Aren't we supposed to be doing good in Jesus name so folks will ask whats different? Here is the intention which makes all the difference. Here its not God who just sees but its being done specifically to illicit the praises of men.

To gain reputation. Where folks assume you’re good because you made sure they know how much you gave to the hospital fund, the charity drive. We blow the horn, shout it out come see what we have done!

Often times people and ministries are vaunted because of all the activities they have going on, all the money they raised for who they helped. It gives them clout in the community and allows them to grow so they can “help” more.

Thats not the blessing of the Lord, thats the blessing of men.

Giving, charity, is not a guarantee of spirituality. Nor does it secure our salvation. If I could secure my salvation any more than it is, how would I do it? Right, by faith by trusting in the Charity of Christ on my behalf.

Matthew 6:3–4 “3 But when

you do a charitable deed, (expectation)

do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, (obvious hyperbole)

4 that your charitable deed may be in secret;

Jesus was constantly telling folks don’t tell them it was me. Yet, word seemed to spread even quicker. We can promote ourselves, advertise, make songs about how great we are, but look what Jesus did, Mark 1:40–45 “ Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42 As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. 43 And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45 However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.”

Jesus told the leper to obey the law, to continue to priest as the law instructed, to be returned to fellowship with people of Israel. This was before leaders were banishing those who promoted Jesus.

and your Father who sees in secret (- krypto - where we get? Cryptic from. Something secret/hidden.)

will Himself reward you openly.”

Nothing is hidden from the Father. (Hebrews 4:13) Everything we do or don’t do, in public or behind closed doors, is seen.

Does this make Matthew 5:16 “ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” a contradiction?

Its again, all in the intention. You could help someone and no one know but Jesus would still pour blessings down on you.

When the crowd is watching its easy to be the hero. Jesus was good even in secret and even said, just between us ;-) even though he truly was worthy of the praise.

When we do it, first to help the person but more importantly, to please our God, thats when difference is made.

Romans 12:8 “ he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

In regards to how we minister to one another, not just feelings but actual acts, Matthew 10:40–42 “ “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.””

Does openly mean publically? Or can it just mean we would know? The church would know? What about that light shining before men? Again whats the intention? that folks praise me, or praise Jesus?

who's getting the credit? and don’t we, who actually know the Lord really just want praise from Him? Are we just men-pleasers, doing thing for eye service so that people think I am His. (Ephesians 6:6; Colossians 3:22)

Discussion: So then, we fall somewhat into a quandary if we treat this as a law/command matter. There are assumptions in his statement, the command, is do it for the right reasons.

This also means that Jesus knows there are reasonable expectations that we will help when we can. Jesus has always been jealous of worship. That if you seek the worship of men, then your action doesn't or cant worship God period. There is no bending in this.

If our intentions, our Manner is right, then our reward? Unexplainable Joy, Peace, fellowship with our God, filled to overflowing from the little things. Wanna buy someone a burger? Do it. But don’t try go viral with it by posting it on social media. Just let it play in the halls of heaven, and see what happens in your life when that trends with the Father.