Matthew 6: 1-4 Give to the Needy

[hotcoffee]

Originally Posted by Freefaller

Giving to the needy is one thing. Giving a hand to someone when they are down and in need of a hand is a worthy thging to do.

Giving to the Lazy is another thing all together! We have way to many people in our society who think the world owes them a living. Now we have an idiot in the whitehouse who has discovered that by giving working folks money away, the "takers" in our society will vote him into power. Thank god for term limits on the presidency!

If we continue to read through Matthew we'll see Jesus talking about lazy people. If you would like to read ahead.... I think it's in Matthew 25...

[Zguy28]

This passage makes it pretty clear that Jesus takes for granted that his disciples will help the poor and hungry.

But the larger point he is making is about right attitudes of the heart. In fact that is the whole point of the Sermon on the Mount.

He is not discouraging works that the Pharisees do, but rather saying they avail nothing on the spiritual side of things. They get their reward here and now (recognition) and nothing in the hereafter. As Paul would say, their building will be burned up on the Day of Judgment and are pretty much worthless.

[Bird Dog (Premo)]

Originally Posted by hotcoffee

Giving to the Needy
Matthew 6:1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
If you boast about it, take recognition for it. It becomes advertising and it's an expense.
God knows the value of your gift.

I have always wrestled with this. I, too, beleive you should not boast about your good deeds, but you should be an example of God's love and how do you do that without a little promo?
I've gotten many people into the giving thing by talking about some of things I do.

[Hank]

Originally Posted by dontknowwhy

you are such a hateful little fool...all you ever post is hateful, resentful remarks...I pity you

Pot meet kettle

[hotcoffee]

Originally Posted by Bird Dog

I have always wrestled with this. I, too, beleive you should not boast about your good deeds, but you should be an example of God's love and how do you do that without a little promo?
I've gotten many people into the giving thing by talking about some of things I do.

There's a difference between a little promo to get more people to share and self promotion.

I'm sure you have met people who give only to make a better name for themselves. You know the type... their wallets are open to anything that will get them an award or a reward.

Then there are the people who will quietly open their cupboard for the food pantry, or donate a buck or two here and there at the grocery store, or take some of their fresh vegetables out of the garden and leave them at Smile.

Back in the days when Jesus was sitting up on the hillside, talking to His followers, the religious leaders were big on "giving" to make themselves look more noble. It still goes on today.

It's a fine line between "a little promo" and "self promotion". If it was easy to handle that fine line, Jesus wouldn't have mentioned it... right?

[Zguy28]

Originally Posted by Bird Dog

I have always wrestled with this. I, too, beleive you should not boast about your good deeds, but you should be an example of God's love and how do you do that without a little promo?

I wrestled with this for a while too. I found that I needed to kind of "let go" and just encourage or lead others in good work efforts and just speak about it plainly and in a practical way in conversation. I don't talk about how much I give or what not, unless its actually needed as part of the conversation for whatever reason (if somebody asks specifically you shouldn't lie).

I've gotten many people into the giving thing by talking about some of things I do.

That's right! That's not self-promotion.

[migtig]

Originally Posted by Radiant1

If one is looking for recognition for giving, then it becomes about them and not the person in need. It's all about the motivation. Do we give to others because of compassion for our fellow human being? Or, do we give to others because it makes us feel good about ourselves?

Both. I feel good that I was able to give when I'm able to give and I give because I have compassion and feel a need to give to others less fortunate than myself.

Originally Posted by Bird Dog

I have always wrestled with this. I, too, beleive you should not boast about your good deeds, but you should be an example of God's love and how do you do that without a little promo?
I've gotten many people into the giving thing by talking about some of things I do.

True. I always share via FB or even on here when I find a worthwhile charity or it's a charity I believe in and give regularly to, because I want others to consider that charity as well when making a donation.

But I don't share everything I do that's charitable.

Originally Posted by hotcoffee

I'm sure you have met people who give only to make a better name for themselves.

My company announces and gives these little plaques and awards to employees they consider "charitable" and it disappoints and saddens the heck out of me every time I see the announcement. It belittles the things I do and others do, because we aren't being public about it and bragging.