Sermon on the Mount: Giving to the Poor

Sermon on the Mount – Giving to the Poor

Matthew 6:1-4

Matthew 6:1–4 ESV

1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

1. Introduction – As we make our way into chapter 6 of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus changes course a little bit.

a. He is still talking about righteousness…and remember, righteousness, right living is the great theme of the Sm.

i. Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven…that’s a key verse in Jesus’ sermon.

1. And we spent 7 weeks looking at the inner righteousness that Christ’s followers are to have.

a. A righteousness that starts from the inside out.

b. And what we saw is that Christians are to have a righteousness that is qualitatively different.

i. A righteousness that lets our lights shine so that others may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven.

1. But the verse I just quoted, Matt. 5:16 – seems to contradict the first verse in today’s section.

a. Because as we make our way into chapter 6….6:1 says “Don’t do your good works publicly…”

ii. Which one are we to follow?

1. Do your good works so other may see??? Or don’t do them publicly?

a. In their own unique way, both verses are calling us to work…

i. But understand this…there is no contradiction here.

iii. Each verse, in their own way talks about the motivation behind our good works.

1. 5:16 is a good and godly motivation for good works.

a. In 6:1 Jesus is trying to counteract humanity’s tendency for selfishness.

c. Do your good works so that others will see God’s light shining in and through you.

i. Do your good works for the glory of God and the praise of his name.

1. Don’t do them to draw attention to yourself.

a. Don’t do them so that others will se you…how generous you are, how much you pray or how long you fast.

ii. Make your aim – your reward – the glory of God and the renown of his name.

1. If all you desire is the praise and adulation of humanity – you’ll get it, but that’s all you’ll get.

d. The section of the SM we are starting today starts of in 6:1 and goes to the end of verse 18.

i. In this section Jesus speaks about acts of righteousness.

1. In this section Jesus speaks about 3 acts of righteousness.

a. And the 3 actions that Jesus speaks of here are 3 things that can be found in every major religion around the world – alms giving, prayer and fasting.

i. And what Jesus shows his followers is that a Christian’s actions and motivations are different than the rest of the world.

ii. Jesus just finished saying that his disciples are to be perfect as God the Father is perfect…not flawlessness, but maturity.

1. But Jesus also knows the duplicitous nature of the human heart…that even as we are striving for righteousness and maturity – we can also do the right things in the wrong way and for the wrong motivations…

a. So here Jesus sets out for his followers what their motivations should be.

e. Here’s how we are going to handle this incredible section of Scripture.

i. This week we’ll, have an introduction to the section as a whole…and we’ll look at the first act Jesus speaks of…giving to the poor.

1. Next week, we’ll look at prayer – how we are to pray, when we are to pray…the motivations behind our praying.

a. In 2 weeks we’ll look at vv.16-18 and look at fasting.

i. When to fast, how to fast, why to fast.

1. Then, after we look at each of the 3 acts of righteousness, after we have looked at this section as a whole…

b. We are then going to double back and look at one of the most precious gifts Jesus gave to his church…the Lord’s Prayer.

i. We’ll examine each petition individually.

1. So that’s going to be the plan for the next few weeks.

2. Hear God’s word – Matthew 6:1-4

2. Big Picture – I want to give you a big picture understanding of this section.

a. 6:1-18 is the next larger section of the SM, but it is comprised of 3 sub sections.

i. Vv.1-4 where Jesus gives instructions about giving to the poor.

1. Vv.5-15, where Jesus instructs about prayer, including giving us the Lord’s Prayer.

a. And in vv.16-18, Jesus gives instructions about fasting.

b. And if you quickly skim over these verses, we’ll realize that each sub section has a similar structure, a similar pattern.

i. Each section starts off with the words “When you…” – give, pray, fast…

1. Notice that it says ‘when’ of if…

a. If you give, pray and fast…not what it says.

i. When…assumes that Christ’s followers will do these things – that giving, praying and fasting will be part of a well-balanced Christian life.

ii. But in each section – the phrase “when you…” is immediately followed by the phrase, “Don’t be like the hypocrites.

1. V. 2 – don’t do as the hypocrites. V.5 – don’t be like the hypocrites. V.16 – don’t make it obvious, like the hypocrites.

iii. There are 2 things we need to figure out from that phrase.

1. First – what’s a hypocrite?

a. And secondly – what were the hypocrites doing?

i. Now, we will leave that second question alone for now, and we’ll answer it when we look at each act individually.

c. So what’s a hypocrite? A hypocrite is basically an actor – consciously or unconsciously.

i. In fact, the Greek word in this sentence translated ‘hypocrite’ originally meant actor.

1. If you go to a show or watch a movie – you expect to see a character playing a part.

a. Pretending to someone else, something you’re not is acceptable, is expected in a theatre.

i. But in the religious life, there is no room for play acting.

ii. There is no room for pretending to be something you aren’t.

1. There is no room for hypocrisy.

a. Hypocritical piety is not piety at all…it is not from the heart, it is acting…it is playing the part of a generous giver, playing the part of a person of prayer…it is playing the part of someone who is fasting.

iii. Giving that is motivated by showiness, prayer that is motivated by the praise of people…

1. Fasting that is motivated by getting sympathy from others…simply wishes to increase your spiritual reputation…

a. It’s not pious…is hypocrisy.

d. Don’t do what the hypocrites do, Jesus says…

i. And then he follows up that negative description of what Christians shouldn’t do with the actions we should take.

1. We will look at each action as we look individually at almsgiving, prayer and fasting.

a. So each section follows this pattern.

i. When you…Don’t do this…Instead, do this.

ii. And at the end of each section there is a promise of reward…a reward from God for faithfulness.

3. Almsgiving – So that’s the big picture of this section…6:1-18.

a. Now, let’s take a look at the first smaller subsection that we read earlier. Vv.1-4. Well, 2-4 really.

i. After giving his initial warning about our motivations…

1. Having previously spoken about the full maturity that Christians are to strive for…

a. And knowing the propensity of the human heart for deception…

i. Jesus begins talking about acts of righteousness, the reason for the them, and our motivations behind them.

b. See the pattern at work.

i. When you give to someone in need. Again, assuming that Christians will do this.

1. The Bible stresses over and over the importance of being charitable.

a. Of giving to the poor. Over the years this has taken on many different names, acts of mercy, or almsgiving is another term for it.

ii. Remember the word is ‘when’ – when you give to the poor. It’s not ‘if’ you give…by the off chance that you find yourself in a position to be charitable…

1. Nope, that’s not it at all. The Bible teaches that God’s people are to be radically generous.

a. When you give…Jesus assumes, takes it for granted even…that his followers will generously give to those who have less than they do.

4. Don’t Do This – So when you give, don’t play a part.

a. Don’t act, don’t pretend to be a charitable and generous person…like the hypocrites do.

i. And what is it they did?

1. Well, they trumpeted their generosity for all to see.

a. Now, the trumpets may be metaphorical. It may be that the hypocrites made a show…made a spectacle of their giving.

i. Maybe they puffed up their chest…and said “here you go!” really loudly so everyone knew what they were doing and who they were giving their money to.

ii. However, the trumpets could also be literal.

1. There were actual trumpets in the Temple in Jerusalem.

a. And sometimes trumpets would blow calling the citizens together in order to contribute to an urgent need.

i. So think about it – the trumpets blow…and immediately a person drops whatever it is they are doing…maybe he or she closes up shop.

1. And in a stunning display of athleticism…runs down the street towards the temple…

a. Trumpets sounding the call…

b. And as this person is running down the street…everyone knows where he or she is going…and why.

i. The pace at which one is moving and the direction travel only serves to bring attention to the supposed zeal that is on display.

1. Much attention is being brought to the act of generosity…but Jesus says that is only play acting.

b. Jesus says that when people trumpet their generosity…metaphorically speaking…or maybe literally.

i. When they draw attention to their great acts of charity…

1. They are only seeking the approval of other human beings.

a. They aren’t being generous…only playing the part of a generous person…in order to receive praise from their fellow citizens.

c. Look, I get it. It’s a natural human reaction to want credit for good things you’ve done.

i. It’s natural to want to make know how you helped a family out…

1. How you gave to this charity.

a. Or gave a big gift to the church.

i. There’s something in all of us that wants to get credit for what we’ve done.

1. We long for the recognition

ii. There’s a tendency to humble brag about it.

1. To tout the things that you do…not in a grandiose kind of way….but in a supposedly humble way.

a. One – in order to make known what you’ve done…and 2 in order to get the credit you want.

i. But again, that is hypocrisy…it is playing the part. Acting like you are both humble about your works, and playing the part of a generous giver.

d. And Jesus says…if all you want is the praise of your fellow human beings…if that’s what you’re after, what you’re excited about…then you’ll get…

i. If you shout from the mountain tops what you’re doing, if you humble brag to a few people so that word gets out…

1. If all you want is credit…if all you want is for other people to be astounded by your generosity.

a. Then that’s what you’ll get…and that’s all you’ll get.

i. A public relations stunt…and nothing more.

5. Instead – Instead, the righteous are to have a different kind of motivation.

a. They are to be motivated by giving God glory.

i. And they are to be motivated by a heavenly reward giving by our heavenly Father.

1. But Jesus uses an exceptional metaphor…it is wonderfully grotesque, but vivid…to show how quiet our charitable giving is to be.

a. So quiet should out giving be that one part of our body isn’t even away of what the other part is doing.

i. Far from letting other people know and trumpet our own accomplishments – Jesus says that our giving should be kept a secret from our left half when our right half is giving.

ii. Now, technically and physically this isn’t possible, but Jesus uses this image to express just how quiet and private our giving should be.

1. So quiet, it’s almost as if you have a split personality.

b. Now know this…such giving in and of itself is not meritorious.

i. But this kind of giving ensures our motives are pure. That we are giving out of compassion and love…

1. That we are not prompted…even a little bit…by a love for the praise of our peers.

a. In other words…as soon as the giving of a gift is decided and done…it would serve us well to simply forget what we have done.

i. As hard as that might be – it is in keeping with the teaching of Jesus.

6. Reward – Jesus is teaching that it matters greatly why we do what we do.

a. And a Christian’s giving is to be marked by self-sacrifice and not self-congratulation.

i. Jesus goes on to say – far from only getting the fleeting praise of man…

1. Christians are to give in secret – and be satisfied with God as the only witness.

b. Now, sometimes we get antsy and uncomfortable when we start talking about rewards…

i. But Jesus outrightly mentions rewards here…

1. And when our motives are pure and transparent…when there isn’t even an inkling of self-pride or wanting the praise of humanity…

a. When our sole purpose is to meet a need…when we do what we do solely for God’s glory…God will reward his people.

c. And what reward is Jesus talking about here? Well, I believe there are 2 parts to this reward.

i. A present reward will be that we will see a need met.

1. When we give with impure motives all we’ll see is what we’ve done and the money we donated and how good of person we are…

a. But when we give with God as the only witness…

i. We’ll see the hungry fed, the naked clothed, the sick healed, the oppressed freed, the last saved and the needy provided for.

1. And when we see those needs met, that in itself brings satisfaction.

d. But ultimately there is a future reward. When heaven and earth are restored and God’s kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven…

i. God will reward his righteous people for their righteous deeds.

1. Our Christian giving is to be neither before men…waiting for their applause…no even before ourselves…with our left hand applauding our right hand’s efforts…

a. Our giving is to be before God…who sees our motivations, the secrecy of our hearts…and rewards.

e. Jesus warns – it is possible to turn an act of mercy into an act of vanity – so that our primary motive is not giving…not the benefit of the person receiving…but our own benefit…praise.

i. So Jesus instructs his followers…let your giving be marked by self-sacrifice and secrecy…and not prideful self-congratulations.