True Giving Has No Thought For Reward

"Today's Devotion" For February 7, 2006

Read: Matthew 6:1-4; Luke 21:1-4

TRUE GIVING HAS NO THOUGHT FOR REWARD

"Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them...Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Mt.6:1a, 4b)

In Jewish piety, the three bedrock principles of God-pleasing living were almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. Properly practiced according to the purpose God had given them, each of these principles provided the people of Israel opportunities to serve God and their neighbors. The end result of such service was intended to bring the faithful closer to God and to touch others with His grace and mercy. In the section of Matthew's Gospel we're reading today, Jesus points out the importance of almsgiving in one's service to God and those in need.

Jesus points out that His people, His disciples give with no thought of reward. To give a true gift is to do so quietly, without fanfare, knowing that the only true reward anyone can have is the gift of heaven, given freely by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. To give a true gift is to serve others in their need because it's the right thing to do - it's a faithful response to God's love, grace, and mercy to us. Sadly, Jesus is addressing a problem that had entered into the act of "almsgiving" - what we call "philanthropy" today. Instead of a quiet, unobtrusive act of kindness, goodness, mercy, compassion, love, and concern for those in need, "almsgiving" had been turned into a showy act which many people of "importance" used to preen before the people.

We might note, however, that the same thing happens in our day as well. While there are a lot of anonymous gifts given for various needs, there are an even greater amount of gifts where the givers are widely identified and honored for their giving. Even among the anonymous givers there is an opportunity for a tangible reward this side of heaven - a tax write off (Yes! We're in "tax time" again) - which may or may not be taken by the giver (this is not a condemnation).

Luke gives us an interesting insight into the principle of what it means to give a true gift when he shares with us the scene of the poor widow giving her two copper coins (the Widow's mite) to the Temple treasury. Jesus tells the disciples that her gift was larger than all the others given by those who had plenty, because she gave from her heart in spite of her own needs. Further acts of selfless giving are seen throughout Scripture. We're reminded, for instance, of the woman at Bethany who came into the house of Simon the leper and poured very expensive perfume on Jesus' head to "prepare for (His) burial" (Mark 14:3-9). Jesus noted that this act of love and service on her part would be told "throughout the world" in her memory.

The late United States Supreme Court Justice, Olive Wendell Holmes, Jr. once said that "Fame usually comes to those who are thinking about something else." In a sense, from a human perspective, this principle is very much in keeping with Jesus' words to us today. When we put others before ourselves, following the example of Jesus Himself, we are only doing what God has called us to do. We are loving as God has loved us and we do so by faith without any thought of reward or recognition. Yet, if the truth be told, this is no easy task. Every human being has a need to be acknowledged and regarded for their accomplishments - even their philanthropy. Such desire is gripping and can consume us so that, in the end, our eyes are taken off of Jesus and our "reward" in heaven, and focused on what rewards we can gain for the here and now.

By God's grace we not only have the power of His Word and Spirit to keep us focused on Jesus, but we also recognize that all that we are and have are gifts from God. To truly give is to, by faith, turn our lives over to God and let Him use us each day to accomplish His purposes in our lives and the lives of others whom He touches through us. By faith we seek to love others in the Lord's name, caring for them in the way God gives each of us, without desire or expectation of recognition but only because such loving service is part and parcel of being a forgiven, redeemed, and restored child of God in Christ Jesus. Living and giving with no thought of reward is the greatest reward because it reflects our relationship with Jesus and the hope we have of heaven.

Prayer: Father, thank You for all the blessings You've given me, all the talents with which You've blessed me, and all the opportunities I have to love and serve others in Your name. Father, I know that I'm often guilty of seeking recognition or acknowledgment from others for using the gifts, talents, and abilities You've given me as if I were the one responsible for them. Forgive me, Father, for Jesus' sake, for such arrogance on my part. Lead me to seek only to be of service to others in Your name, without any regard for recognition or acknowledgement, but knowing that what I do is pleasing to You. Let my life reflect Your grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness to others so they, too, might come to You and receive Your blessings through Christ Jesus my Savior and Lord, in whose precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.