Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6: 1-4; NRSV)
There is an old expression “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”. As noted by this text, and earlier version of that expression could have been “What starts in your heart, stays in your heart”. The goal of supporting the work of God is not to be honored by others, but rather to demonstrate our honor for God. So please continue to support the work of the church in a manner that pleases God. God does not want us to keep our resources in our hands, but He does want us to keep the giving of our resources in our hearts.
