Practice Generosity

Introduction

Duke Frederick in As You Like It.

[Stage Picture]

Thrill of acting. Laugh, cry, think.

But, mostly applause!

The thrill isn’t unique to the stage and screen. Motivation of attention.

Jesus calls His disciples to be whole.

Matthew 5:20 ESV

For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:48 ESV

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Progress towards wholeness.

6 Negatives. Now 3 Positives.

Being complete/whole requires the hands and heart to be unified.

3 Pillars of behaviors / sacrifices.

Foundation of Truth

6:1

We’ve all seen them, people who are consumed with attention.

Motivated by the spotlight.

They often embody how

Good can become corrupted.

This is what Jesus is tearing down.

Not attacking doing good in public, but doing good in public for attention.

“In order to be seen…”

Motivation is vital.

Getting the “why” right is essential.

“No reward.” This is a stark warning.

CQ 171.

This verse applies to all three of these religious actions: giving, prayer, and fasting.

Warning - Stop Showboating

6:2a

Pattern: Warning / Guarantee / Instruction / Reward

Assumption of “when” not “if.”

“Sound no trumpet.”

2 Major theories what this is:

First: Trumpet sounded at times of almsgiving. People would rush down the street. Trumpet to Prayer (rain) to Almsgiving.

Second: Shofar chests. Trumpet shaped metal openings.

Either way, the motivation is called out.

“That they may be praised by others.” Praised = Glorified.

Taking the place of God!

We do not want to

Are you creating an allusion of righteousness to get glory for yourself?

Guarantee - Worthless Reward

v. 2b

Their reward is the praise of people.

The value? Temporary, Fleeting, Shallow.

“They are not giving but buying, and they got what they paid for.” Kent Hughes.

Reward = Wage. A hired worker.

Selfish promotion reduces the value of giving.

Instruction - Give Selflessly

vv. 3-4a

Jesus offers a better way.

Instead of doing things to be recognized, do things to honor God.

[Left Hand/Right Hand]

He uses the language of body, of membership, and of ultimate secrecy. Hyperbole.

This does not mean that all giving must be in cash or that you shouldn’t turn in your giving on your taxes.

Sacrifice the applause.

Make it so natural, so without pre-meditation. Just your character.

This is being whole, being complete, being perfect. An alignment with heart and hands.

Matthew 25:37–39 ESV

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

“Do it, and forget it.” - Kent Hughes

Reward - The Greatest Reward

v. 4b

A crypt - a place of dead. Avoided, a place of secrecy. .

[Crypt]

Secret = krypto. Dead.

God even sees here.

God recognizes and rewards.

1 Corinthians 3:11–15 ESV

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

Our faith encourages us to good works.

But these will be seen by God.

Conclusion

Expectation - when you give.

We have opportunities to give.

Certainly we are called to the tithe.

Special opportunities like DR, especially after two hurricanes slam into the SE.

Jesus is saying, give but also

Give and check your motivations.

If not one knew what you did, would you still give?

This is the mark of our Christian faith.