For a lasting reward

Read Matthew 6:1-4

.

The opening words say literally, “Beware of doing your righteousness before men”, the same word used in 5:6,10,20. Jesus has taught with regard to morality that Christians must have a true inner righteousness. Now he teaches that the way we practise our religion must also be from the heart and not for external show. Otherwise it risks being contaminated with hypocrisy, and will never result in heavenly reward.

.

The themes of hypocrisy and reward are central to what Jesus says in each of the three examples of “acts of righteousness” which he now speaks about (6:1-18). To give to the poor in order to impress people with our generosity is meaningless because only God knows the value of a gift (Mk.12:41-44). In any case, human praise is a trashy reward when something far greater can be had. The only person we should want to please is God (Jn.12:43; Mt.25:21).

.

That will bring an eternal reward i.e. God’s “well done” and the blessings of his kingdom, as promised in the Beatitudes. Giving is a righteous act because giving is at the heart of God’s own gracious nature. So “the grace of giving” should be practised generously (2 Cor.8:6-7; 1 Tim.6:17-19) but without fanfare.