Matthew 6:1–4 (ESV)
Giving to the Needy
6 “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.
Jesus calls us to hide our good works when we are tempted to show them. Our works must glorify the Father. The only blessing that counts is the one received from His generous
hand. His grace perfects even the least of our good works. • Loving Father, may my giving to the needy always bring You glory. Amen.
Engelbrecht, E. A. (2009). The Lutheran Study Bible (p. 1589). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing
House.