OK, let’s say it’s Good Deeds Day. And let’s say you’ve been a good deeds do-er. Now, what would you like as your reward? And who would you like to present that reward to you?
Or would you prefer that Good Deeds Day didn’t exist?
If you’re a Christian, I hope you stand firmly in the “didn’t exist” category. Here’s why.
Check out verses 1-4 of Matthew 6 in your red letter edition of the Bible. Because that’s where Jesus said don’t tell everyone about your charitable deeds.
It was important to Jesus that His followers understood this. So important He included it in His written word. And the topic of charitable deeds was important enough to be included with a list of these other topics:
- Murder, Adultery, Divorce
- Oaths, Retaliation, Love
- Prayer, Fasting, Wealth, and
- Judging
That’s a pretty serious list…right?
Jesus knew these were things each and every person would deal with in life, in one way or another. So He made sure to give us His (and His Father’s) perspective. And whose perspective has the most wisdom? His!
Jesus wants your good deeds to come from your heart. He wants it to be about loving your neighbor as yourself. And serving your fellow man. And just plain ol’ helping out, when you’re able and someone truly needs it.
He doesn’t want your giving to be about how good a giver you are. He knows when your focus is on what a good giver you are. And when your tendency is to focus on numbers and rewards, not loving your neighbor. Just read the stories in the Bible, or read the history of any country or civilization, and you’ll see it always ends up that way.
If you’re in a good financial position, and you have extra to give, pass it around as much as you cheerfully can. That’s awesome. But please don’t do it and tell everyone you did. In fact, it’s best if you don’t mention it to anyone.
Let every good deeds day be done in secret. And if there is any telling, let it be done by someone else. Trust that Jesus meant it. And that He knew it was true when He said God will reward you openly. It may not be until you’re in Heaven, but it WILL be.
So, give secretly. I believe your blessings will be richer.
Give To Gain
It’s a shame; it’s a crying shame
That so few ever stake their claim
To the life; to the life that’s free
From the world and from iniquity.
What a choice, to be loosed or bound.
Plant your feet on the solid ground
And receive; and receive the Grace
Put the Light in your dark heart’s place.
Ain’t it funny how we give to gain?
But let’s follow the lead of the Creator of this earthly plane.
It’s a wonder how we give to gain.
But it’s really not giving; it’s the one way of living,
That we should learn to give to gain.
It’s a crime; it’s an awful crime
That the world thinks in finite time
With their hands stretching out to take.
And they reap another big mistake
Chorus
Live the only way of livin’
Give like you’ve been forgiven…
Chorus…inst…chorus to end
© 1999
Stay tuned,
