May 11, 2026 - Matthew 6:1-4

Matthew 6:1-4“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 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. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.NOTE: This text is part of the Sermon on the Mount describing life in the Kingdom of God Jesus is brining into the world. Verse 1 of Chapter 6 introduces this section which several applications found here in verses 2-4 and then in Thursdays reading verses 5-6. First of all Jesus is not meaning we do not ever practice our righteousness ever in front of others… but He is saying “don’t do righteous things ‘to be seen by others’…. Its about motive. Giving to the needy in this context is not just money but all serving to those in need…. ….,.with His signature ‘hyperbole’ Jesus is warning about motives….. we really see He goal of making us into people of LOVE not just getting projects of love done through us.