Season 4 Podcast 45 “The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew Ch 6: The Sermon on the Mount Pt III, Hypocrisy.”

Season 4 Podcast 45 “The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew Ch 6: The Sermon on the Mount Pt III, Hypocrisy.”In Podcast 35 we examined the Beatitudes. In Podcast 40 we examined The Lord’s Kingdom. In this Podcast we shall continue with the Sermon on the Mount, with the focus on Hypocrisy.  Matthew Chapter 6 begins by distinguishing between true charity and the exploitation of charity.MATTHEW 6: 1-41 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.History has shown that charity can be exploited, and people are often moved more by the show of charity than by charity itself. Our politicians today have learned to bribe the poor with taxpayer money. The politicians receive the glory while giving away stolen money and the poor taxpayers bear the burden. Politicians “sound a trumpet before them” as they steal our taxes to win votes. Many collect money for charitable purposes but divert the money for their own gain.Charity, which appears so simple is a complex thing. How, for example do you “let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth?” Christ emphasizes secrecy and promises that the Father shall reward you openly. Whenever, we want a definition of charity, we immediately turn to Paul in 1st Corinthians 13: Paul elevates charity about the other virtues. It is the virtues listed by Paul that distinguish between those who have the pure love of Christ and the hypocrite. But first, in the next three verses the subtlety of the hypocrite is revealed. In fact, it reveals that charity isn’t the act of giving. It is the intent of the giver. Without the love of Christ, which is Charity, all giving is hypocritical. Let me point out that you do not have to be a Christian to have the pure love of Christ. Whether we acknowledge it or it, the spirit of Christ is given to everyone born on this earth, and it is the driving power behind all things. Christ is the creator of heaven, earth, and all things in the earth, especially including mankind. Without his light, there would be no life. God is behind everything that is good.1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.Scriptures are always filled with paradox as illustrated above. Another example is how can you give all of your goods to the poor, and yet not have charity? Christ answers the question in the Sermon on the Mount.1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.