Sunday, May 23, 2010

"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand it doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." -- Matthew 6:3-4

The woman was quite put out. She wrote that she had sent a check to someone who was struggling financially. She expected a thank you. She didn't get it. One day she ran into the person, who did offer thanks while admitting the check had never even been deposited. The writer felt her gift -- and herself -- were unappreciated. She urged people to be thankful. As indeed we should.

Perhaps her gift might have actually been used had cash or an anonymous money order been sent instead. I could imagine a money order made out to the recipient with Jesus listed as the giver.

Pride is an awful thing. Sometimes we struggle and, usually, we want to hide that. Then someone sends you money. Part of you would be thankful. But wouldn't you also be embarrassed? Finances are a touchy subject under the best of circumstances. It's difficult to accept a handout -- no matter how badly needed -- from someone. And that the person expects your gratitude only makes it that much worse.

Yes, we should be grateful when someone does something nice for us. We should offer thanks to them. And we should thank God for all we have and for the gifts that He sends us through others.

But when we give something to someone we shouldn't expect anything in return. When we do, we should ask ourselves why we're giving. Is it truly because we wish to help? Or is it because we want to feel good about ourselves and have others think highly of us too?

We should check our motives, then continue to give. When God blesses us financially, He expects us to share. He just expects us to do so to bring glory to Him and not ourselves.