Secret Giving Series

A writer named Clara Null says, “For years we lived in a small town with one bank and three churches. Early one Monday morning, the bank called all three churches with the same request: “Could you bring in Sunday’s collection right away? We’re out of $1 bills.” (from Humor for Preaching and Teaching, p. 75)

That’s a pretty low blow. But it’s a good reminder. Secrecy is not to be an excuse for selfishness.

Remember the Faithful-Now and Forever sacrifice stories from last fall? Those weren’t secret, were they? No, those were very public, and they were meant to follow the pattern of King David in the Old Testament. David, when the temple was being built, stood up in front of the people as a leader and set an example by announcing he would make a sacrificial gift to help the temple get built. His motive was not to be applauded, but as a leader to set the standard in sacrificial giving.

At the request of our stewardship consultant, several of our leaders here, including Kim and I did the same. I’ll be honest, at first I thought what he was asking might not coincide with Jesus’ teaching on secrecy here in Matthew 6. But our consultant helped me to understand something something very important. If we’re sharing our stories for applause, then we certainly shouldn’t share them at all. But if the motive is to be like David, and as a leader show a demonstration of prayerful sacrifice to encourage the people of God when a new place of worship and service needs to be built – then you’re following the Bible. It’s all about the motive.

And Jesus says, when you give in secret, God will reward you.

But not because you give – that would be earning your salvation.

The Koran says that if a person prays, then prayer will take him halfway to paradise. If he fasts, that will get him to the gates of paradise. But if a person gives to the poor, the gates of paradise will open for him and he will be admitted. But that’s not what the Bible tells us. Christians should pray, fast and help those in need, but those acts won’t bring salvation. Salvation is a free gift that God gives people who will accept what Jesus did for them on the cross.

The reward from God is an eternal one given to people whose hearts have been changed by Jesus so that they live entirely for Him. They are not seeking a reward through giving. They have changed lives and await the crown of righteousness laid up in heaven for them because of Jesus and His victory.

TRANSITION: We need to be at the place where our giving is only for God’s approval. But you may wonder…

II. HOW CAN I TELL IF MY MOTIVES ARE RIGHT?

How can I be sure I’m giving with the right kind of heart?

We have some pointers from these words of Jesus. If my motives are right…

1. I will give spontaneously

1 John 3:17 – If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

Certainly we need to calculate what we are able to give – but the heart with right motives will just give and be done with it