Matthew 6:1-4 "Practicing Righteousness through Giving"

Marc Transparenti
Calvary Chapel Lake City
Matthew • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago • Presented 4 years ago • 49:30
Matthew 6:1–4
Tithe
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The Sermon on the Mount: Giving
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﻿Good morning CCLC! Please turn in your Bibles to Matt 6 as we continue our chapter-by-chapter and verse-by-verse journey through the Gospel of Matthew. We are presently studying the Sermon on the Mount- the Sermon of the King. 

Last week we wrapped up chapter 5 where Jesus taught His disciples about the law....what the disciples heard. Jesus provided 6 illustrations of faulty teachings by the Rabbis and Pharisees, as He exclaimed "...you have heard it was said..." followed by "...but I say to you..." as He gave the true intent of the law. 

Now, in what we call Chapter 6 (there were no chapter and verse breaks in the original teaching)...in our Chapter 6 Jesus turns from the teachings of the religious leaders to their hypocritical deeds. In Chapter 6, Jesus builds on His teaching from Chapter 5 switching from what the disciples heard, now to what was seen...what they observed from the religious leaders- the Rabbis, the Scribes and the Pharisees. 

In the first 18 verses of Chapter 6, Jesus tells His disciples not to be like the "hypocrites" (the religious leaders) as He discusses, in the negative, three topics: charitable deeds, prayers and fasting...which, for the Jew, were three important requirements of personal piety (and they remain good spiritual disciplines for us today). As Jesus teaches on charitable deeds, prayers, and fasting...He also 3x uses a phrase "...your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly," (this phrase is unique to the Sermon on the Mount...it is only found here in the entire Bible). And, Jesus is guiding His disciples to perform these deeds to the most important audience...the audience of one...only God; not to man. 

Before we jump into these verses, there is a pattern observable through Matt 6:1-18 that I would like to point out. As Jesus discusses Charitable deeds (which we will call "giving") (vss 1-4), prayer (vss 5-15), and fasting (vss 16-18), Jesus in all three segments will: 
First, warn His disciples not to do the act of giving, prayer, or fasting motivated by being praised by other people; 
Second, He guarantees that if His warning is ignored, the only reward gained will be that from other people, but not from God. 
Third, Jesus provides instruction on how to perform these good deeds secretly.
Fourth, and finally, Jesus promises the Father who sees in secret will reward openly. 
So, pay attention to this pattern as we look at these verses today.

Let's pray, and then we will look at verses 1-4 of Chapter 6. Today's message is entitled, "Practicing Righteousness through Giving."

Matt 6:1 "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."

Jesus begins here with the words "Take heed," or "Beware." This is not only a warning to the disciples, but also an imperative...a command. Jesus is commanding and warning them, and us, to be careful about doing charitable deeds publicly, to be admired by others... 
In verse 1, the words "do your charitable deeds" is rendered "practicing your righteousness" in the NASB/ESV Bible translations. The ESV states: "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them..."
Sometimes ancient manuscripts vary on certain words and this is one such example.
In the original Greek, 'Righteousness' and 'Charitable Deeds' are entirely different Greek words. 
Carson notes: "righteousness" in Hebrew was often rendered "alms" and may have been changed by a copyist. 
Most scholars I have read favor the translation "practicing your righteousness" in verse 1. 
I like this as well because then Matt 6:1 becomes an introductory statement overshadowing all of Matt 6:2-18.
And this flows nicely given the context of the sermon...one verse prior Jesus taught...Matt 5:48 "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." Since you are already positionally perfect (you are righteous by faith), live out that perfection. How? By practicing righteousness...by giving, praying, and fasting. 
The idea of righteousness here in verse 1, means "to do righteousness" -or- "practicing your righteousness." This indicates righteousness is an act...an action... an outflow or fruit seen in our lives. As James stated, in Jam 2:18 "...I will show you my faith by my works." 
Righteous deeds or a sincere show of faith is visible. People should be able to observe your good deeds. 
However, Jesus warns His disciples to be mindful of their audience...who are you trying to be seen by when you practice your righteousness? Before God, or "...before men, to be seen by them..."?
There is a temptation and a sense of satisfaction that accompanies being praised by other people. When I started selling insurance, we had quarterly awards meetings, and I relished in and found meaning in walking up to the platform in front of all my peers...to gain my trophy...to have people hear my name announced. It was absolutely a sin of pride..."pride of life." 
Obviously a different example then righteous deeds, but the motivation was the same...the desire for other people's approval...motivated by pride. 
Now, look at Matt 5:16...don't be confused by Jesus command in Matt 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
There is not a contradiction here. The believer's good deeds should be observable before people in society, so long as they are not seeking personal glory. Matt 5:16 is a great example of practicing righteousness righteously...because God gets the glory...not I. 
Carson wrote, "Righteous conduct under kingdom norms must be visible so that God may be glorified. Yet it must never be visible in order to win man's acclaim."
My neighbor is not in great health. He lives alone and is older...he walks with a cane. And, being that it is Fall...leaves have been piling up in his yard. So, yesterday, 3 of my kids and I blew all his leaves to the curb for curb side pick-up. I prayed, "Lord, make me invisible." I kept my head down avoiding eye contact with other neighbors because I didn't want my flesh to swell in pride. I didn't want to catch a nod of approval from fellow man, for in my heart we were doing this deed unto the Lord, and as a practical form of living out our faith. Loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. I prayed for my neighbor that this loving deed would soften his heart to God. 
I use this example for a couple reasons: 1. I don't want anyone to misunderstand scripture...there is no issue with public good deeds. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." There is no issue with the reality that other neighbors saw us helping a neighbor. It's a witness of love. It's a good work. It's an outflow of faith. I hope that my neighbors would be influenced by us...that they would be infected to love on their neighbors as well. There is no issue that my neighbor came and thanked us...I was able to witness to him a little. All of this was good. 
But, don't lose sight of the warning...if we were blowing the leaves purely for the pat on the back from our neighbor, or if I was trying to make eye contact with other neighbors to see them smile and praise our kindness...well that would be our reward. Our motive would have been selfish, and not centered on God's glory. So guard your heart and your motives. 
Jesus' concluding point, in this verse, sheds light on the consequences of not heeding His warning not to do our charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Jesus states..."Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven."
If you are prideful and seek man's praise, man's praise will be your only reward. So, enjoy that temporal reward while it lasts. 
If you are humble and practice righteousness, a divine reward from the heavenly Father will be received.
Do the right thing to love God and love others. And, don't get caught up in silly thoughts like, "well, if it is not completely anonymous, then I won't get an eternal reward." So, what then? You won't do the right thing because you may be seen? I think sometimes in our desire to be anonymous, we miss the point God is teaching as well.
I'm confident that God would rather you do good and be seen, then to neglect doing good because you might be seen. 
It's probably just as bad to be anonymous and pat yourself on the back, as it is to do something publicly and have someone else pat you on the back. "Look at me...there's another heavenly deposit! Just storing up treasures in heaven!" 
"The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?" Lord help us! 
Just do good, and do it for God, not for your own personal acclaim. 

continue to verse 2. 

Matt 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."

Jesus now teaches His disciples about the first way to practice righteousness...through "charitable deeds" or "giving publically." 
Charitable deeds in Gk. is ĕlĕēmŏsunē, el-eh-ay-mos-oo´-nay.
5x in the NT translated as "charitable deeds;" 9x translated as "alms." 
By definition, the word "charitable deeds" means mercy, compassion, beneficence -esp. in giving alms. In the OT, alms was associated with giving money or food to poor people. But, in the NT... alms is an expression of a righteous life...which may take the form of financial giving, or loving deeds. 
8x we see this word in the Book of Acts...
Acts 3:2 portrays alms as a mercy gift to the poor. Acts 3:2 "...a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple..." When Peter saw this man he said, ""Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." Peter's charitable deed was healing in Jesus' name...far more valuable than silver and gold. 
Acts 9:36 & 10:2 portray alms as general acts of righteous giving. Acts 9:36 "...a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did." Widows showed Peter tunics and garments Dorcas had made. She was making clothing for these widows. 
Acts 10:2 Cornelius, a Roman centurion and first Gentile convert to become a Christian, was described as one "...who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always." We don't know exactly how he blessed the people, only that he did...and was generous. 
So, charitable deeds or alms is an act of compassion whereby the believer practices the righteous act of giving, in one form or another. And, Scripture is clear, we are to do charitable deeds...Jesus says "WHEN you do a charitable deed..." It's assumed the disciples, including us today, will do charitable deeds, but we are cautioned against drawing attention to ourselves. 
Jesus says...when you give publically, "...do not sound a trumpet before you..."
Primarily, this is a figurative expression to not attract attention to yourself. Similar to our expression "tooting your own horn." 
Historically, scholars speculate about the origin of this expression:
Did the Pharisees blow trumpets to gather the poor to the Temple?
Were trumpets sounded when gifts were given during feast times?
Perhaps this referred to the sound coins made as they fell into the trumpet shaped collection boxes?
There are many speculations, but whatever the truth, the Pharisees seized an opportunity to attract attention to themselves, and deeply enjoyed the admiration from onlookers. Jesus prohibits this display. 
Jesus entitled these people hypocrites a title commonly associated with the Pharisees, and that is who we have in focus here.
Of the 34x the word "hypocrite" appears in the Bible, 15x we find this word in Matthew's Gospel (44%). 7 of these references in Matthew are in Chapter 23 where Jesus pronounces 7x... "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" 
Matthew, given name "Levi," may have been from the tribe of Levi...may have witnessed great hypocrisy...may have rejected the religious calling because of hypocrisy, and became the polar opposite...a tax collector.
In each of Jesus' three examples of practicing righteousness (giving, praying, and fasting), Jesus instructs His disciples not to be like the hypocrites. 
Hypocrites in Gk. hupŏkritēs, hoop-ok-ree-tace´; def. an actor under an assumed character (stage-player). In Grecian and Roman times, the hypocrites were actors. 
The modern word hypocrisy is defined as "the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform." Thus, the hypocrite is much like an actor. The hypocrites projected self and true self are inconsistent. 
Interesting side-note...the word "seen" in verse 1 is the root word for Gk. thĕatrŏn ...the etymology or origin of our word "theatre." And as the actor is linked to the theatre, Jesus links the hypocrite to desiring to be seen. 
The Pharisees, these hypocrites, were known to draw attention to themselves "...in the synagogues and in the streets..." in both public and private settings. Jesus warns "...they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward." 
Their reward will be the onlooking of men, and the "Ew's and Ahh's" of men, but not looks of praise from God...no divine reward. 
And, just to be on guard...to not be fall into hypocrisy. Know that Scripture speaks of at least three kinds of hypocrisy. 
The first kind is a 'intentional hypocrisy' ...where a person portrays pure and good intentions, but they actually intend to deceive. Honey is on their lips, while evil is in their heart.:
A good example of intentional hypocrisy is Matt 22:15-19 "Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. 16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. 17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the tax money."
The narrative clearly revealed the Pharisees had evil intentions, but their words to Jesus were flattering and the question appeared honest, but it was not. It's was an act. It was intentional hypocrisy. 
The second kind is 'pious hypocrisy'...where a person gets so carried away by their acting that they deceive even themselves, though they do not fool others.:
A good example of pious hypocrisy is Matt 7:4-5 "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
This hypocrite believes in their heart that they are justified in judging their brother. They believer they are in the right and are judging correctly, but they are self-deluded. To everyone else it is obvious that they have a glaring issue in their life...a plank...a large metaphoric board in their eye, but they do not see it because of their religious devotion. This is the pious hypocrite. 
The third is 'complete hypocrisy' where everyone is deceived...the hypocrite and the onlookers. The hypocrite thinks they are acting on God's behalf and the onlookers fall for the act...they are happy to praise the hypocrite, which encourages the hypocrite, who follows suit with deception. This type of deception is likely what we observe in here Matt 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." 
The Pharisees believed their charitable deeds were pure, and people praised them for it. "Oh, look how holy they are!" All were deceived...the Pharisees and the crowd. This is complete hypocrisy. 
We must all be on guard so we are not hypocrites...the flesh is weak and we all have a tendency to fall into hypocritical behavior. One of the chief complaints for non-believers or professing believers who have forsaken the assembly is...they say, "the church is full of hypocrites." And, while that is a vast over-generalization, and often an excuse...there is some truth in the statement. Not complete truth, but some truth. 
Something to pray about this week...ask God to search you and reveal any hypocrisy in your life; if something is revealed ask Him to help you to purge whatever it is from your life. Take a walk with that this week.

In verses 3-4 Jesus teaches His disciples how to avoid the pitfalls of hypocrisy when giving. 

Matt 6:3-4 "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."

Jesus says "when" you do a charitable deed...it is assumed that believers will give publically, but He commands "do [imperative] not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing..."
This expression intends for the utmost secrecy where even members of your own body are unaware of the action of giving...and this is not always an easy task. Again, don't lose cite of the context...giving glory to God is paramount...secrecy protects you from robbing God of His glory, but secrecy is not always what is paramount. Sometimes it is better to be seen...to be public with our good works, so long as God is glorified. 
I will again quote Matt 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
But, sometimes secrecy is more appropriate...like giving tithes. To emphasize secrecy Jesus uses the hyperbolic phrase "...do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing..." 
John Chrysostom defines this expression as "...complete modesty, secret and noiseless giving." 
Spurgeon: "Do it so by stealth as scarcely to know it thyself; think so little of it with regard to thyself that thou shalt scarcely know that thou hast done it. Do it unto God; let him know it."
D.A. Carson may have been reading Spurgeon as well, for he said, "The way to avoid hypocrisy is not to cease giving but to do so with such secrecy that we scarcely know what we have given."
I struggle to find one reason we need to give tithes and proclaim to others either that we gave or how much we gave. Both seem self serving. This is one reason I prefer the tithe box -verses- passing the plate. Many good churches pass a plate or a tithe bag, and they have good convictions why they feel called to do so, but I think it gives too much occasion for the flesh to draw attention to itself -or- for the congregants to feel compelled into giving.
And, while these verses are directed at each one of us individually, I want you to know that your tithe will also be secret within this church body. I won't know and I don't want to know if you give or how much you give. Many great Pastors I look up to hold this policy so as to not have a bias...to avoid impartiality. I will be blind to know who the $10 giver is and who the $10,000 giver is...this way I can be completely objective. So, if a person comes to our church and gives a big check, and is waiting for me to corner them and thank them, or give them recognition from the pulpit...well...they are going to be waiting a long time. 
In verse 4, here in Matthew, Jesus instructed His disciples that public giving, when done in secret (by def. privately/concealed/inward), will be seen by God and rewarded by God, which could take the form of sowing and reaping blessings in this lifetime and heavenly Bema seat rewards as well. What you do secretly in this lifetime, for God's glory, will be rewarded openly in Eternity by God Himself. 
Since these verses are about giving, and since I have mentioned the tithe box... I want to address 'why we use a tithe box', and 'tithing in general.' 
I find it so timely that we are discussing tithe today, being that our church plant, just two weeks ago, put a tithe box out for the first time. It amazes me how as we simply teach verse by verse through the Bible, the topics so often seem to be on point for where we are as a body and personally. 
Well, let's look at these two topics the Holy Spirit has for us today.
First, why a tithe box?
As we just read in Matt 6:3-4, God instructs to give secretly and the tithe box is has been one of the most anonymous ways to give historically. 
Many scholars cite 2 Ki 12:9 as the origin of the tithe box, "Then Jehoiada the priest took a chest, bored a hole in its lid, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one comes into the house of the Lord; and the priests who kept the door put there all the money brought into the house of the Lord."
This box, with a hole in its lid, was used to collect money for temple renovations. 
Under the colonnades of the Court of the Women, in Herod's Temple, scholars state there were thirteen wooden boxes with trumpet-shaped funnels to guide the coins into the box. 
Lk 21:1-2 states, "And He [Jesus] looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites."
The "temple treasury" where the rich, and the poor widow deposited their coins is thought either a room in the temple or a "contribution box." ESV renders 'the treasury' as "the offering box."
Know that there is not a mandate from scripture on how we are to give...plate, tithe box, online giving. So, don't talk bad about other churches that collect tithe differently then us. But, what we do see in scripture is there is an assumption we will give, and Scripture addresses our heart attitude when we give. 
Tithing is first introduced in Gen 14:20, where Abraham gives a tithe to Melchizedek. Tithe appears 41x in 35 verses throughout the OT and NT. A Tithe by def. in Hebrew is a "tenth part," thus many people give 10% of their income to the church as their tithe. "Is that 10% of the gross or the net?" Scripture doesn't declare. Some people hold that this 10% OT definition was a suggested minimum amount to give...and if you do, that's fine. If your personal conviction is to give 10%, then do it. And, also follow your personal convictions on tithing off your gross or net. 
But, I wouldn't get too caught up trying to be exact according to OT standards, because then you would give closer to 23.3% as there were multiple tithes- a tithe for the Levites, a tithe for the temple and feasts, and a tithe for the poor (which was once every three years) (cf. Num 18:20-32 and Deut 14:22-29). 
But, don't forget, as Christians today, we are not under, nor obligated to Jewish civil or ceremonial laws, and tithing by an OT standard would fall under these categories. So, don't feel bound to the percentages, or getting caught up in questions like "do I give off my gross or net?" 
But, also don't dismiss giving. I think an 80/20 rule applies to tithe like it does with most things. 20% of the people give 80% of the tithe to the church. Don't quote me on that, but it's probably true. Unfortunately, many Christians don't tithe at all...which is forsaking a spiritual blessing. They are the ones to lose out, not the church. Jesus will provide one way or another. But, you are blessed as you give. 
Jesus indeed teaches we are to give...Jesus said "...WHEN you do a charitable deed..." 
Paul addressed the rich and instructed "Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." 1 Ti 6:18-19. And, if you are an American, you are rich compared to most of the world, so be ready to give, willing to share...be open-handed with your material possessions. It's all God's anyways. 
More important than how much to give, the Bible is more concerned with how we give...our heart attitude in giving...
Here in Matt 6, Jesus instructs His disciples not to give for personal recognition, but secretly knowing God sees your secret deeds and will reward you openly. 
2 Cor 9:6-7 has a lot of great guidance on the topic of tithe 2 Cor 9:6-7 "...He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."
From this verse we observe four more principals: 
First, in light of sowing and reaping...there is a natural and spiritual reciprocity in giving...not always materially reciprocity, but certainly spiritually. As you give bountifully, you will reap bountifully. 
Pro 11:24-25 "There is one who scatters [distributes freely, lavishly], yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. 25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself."
Mal 3:10 "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this [or test Me now in this]," Says the Lord of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it."
The Lord promises...it is written...as you sow materially, you will reap blessings. 
The second principle from 2 Cor 9 is "let each one give as he purposes in his heart." The Lord, through Paul, suggests sowing generously, but also instructs to give according to your ability. You must decide how much you can give and still meet your needs (emphasis on needs not wants). 
But, also don't forget the many verses about first fruits (Exo 23:16; 34:22; Lev 2:12-14; 2 Chr 31:5). We should give God the first fruits of our labors, not our left overs. Our question shouldn't be "Do I have enough money to tithe after cable television, my hobbies, my wants, etc." The right heart attitude is "Do I have enough money for all the extras after my tithe." Prioritize God first. 
The third principle from 2 Cor 9 is don't give grudgingly [def. pain of body or mind, grief, or sorrow] or of necessity [out of compulsion or in response to pressure]. Again, this is a reason why we don't pass the plate; and you won't hear me teach on tithe except when we come to verses on tithe... as we study verse by verse through the Bible. I will not pressure you to give. 
If it pains you to give or if you feel pressured to give then don't give. God does not need your money. Ps 50:10 "...every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills." It's all God's anyway. Tithing is simply a way to practice righteousness...to be a doers of the word. 
Finally, the fourth principle is "give cheerfully." God loves [agapaōs] a cheerful giver. 
Cheerful in Gk. hilarŏs, hil-ar-os´ (origin of the English word hilarious); def. merry. God loves the giver who has cheer in their heart when they give. God loves a hilarious giver. 
So, Matt 6 and 2 Cor 9:6-7...two great verses that highlight several great principles on the heart attitude regarding giving. 
Give secretly. As you give you will reap blessings. Give what you can, and not with a bad attitude, but cheerfully. 

Worship Team Come

Giving, be it your money, your things, your time, whatever charitable deed you feel led to give...do it in a way that honors and brings glory to God. At times, practice your righteousness through giving publically so that God will be glorified, and other times do it secretly so no one but God can be glorified, and so you do not draw attention to yourself. Give God your first fruits and test Him...He says test Him by tithing...He promises blessing to those who are open-handed. So, this week test Him by practicing righteousness through giving. 

Let's pray! 

Next week we will look at the second practice of righteousness- prayer...and we will look at what is classically called "The Lord's Prayer," but more appropriately it is "A Model Prayer for Jesus' Disciples." Read ahead. 

"The Lord bless you and keep you; 
The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." '
Nu 6:24-26.
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