Give In Secret.

Give In Secret.

But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Matthew 6:3 NKJV

What is the precept of our Lord Jesus about it, Matthew 6:3,4. He that was himself such an example of humility, pressed it upon his disciples, as absolutely necessary to the acceptance of their performances. "Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth when thou givest alms." Perhaps this alludes to the placing of the Corban, the poor man's box, or the chest into which they cast their free-will offerings, on the right hand of the passage into the temple so that they put their gifts into it with the right-hand. Or the giving of alms with the right hand, intimates readiness to it and resolution in it do it dexterously, not awkwardly nor with a sinister intention. The right hand may be used in helping the poor, lifting them up, writing for them, dressing their sores, and other ways besides giving to them but, "whatever kindness thy right hand doeth to the poor, let not thy left hand know it: conceal it as much as possible industriously keep it private. Do it because it is a good work, not because it will give thee a good name." In omnibus factis, re, non teste, moveamur--In all our actions, we should be influenced by a regard to the object, not to the observer. It is intimated that we must not let others know what we do no, not those that stand at our left hand, that are very near us. Instead of acquainting them with it, keep it from them if possible however, appear so desirous to keep it from them, as that in civility they may seem not to take notice of it, and keep it to themselves, and let it go no further.

That we must not observe it too much ourselves: the left hand is a part of ourselves we must not within ourselves take notice too much of the good we do, must not applaud and admire ourselves. Self-conceit and self-complacency, and an adoring of our own shadow, are branches of pride, as dangerous as vain-glory and ostentation before men. We find those had their good works remembered to their honour, who had themselves forgotten them: When saw we thee an hungered, or athirst? - Matthew Henry

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