Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 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 men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you (Matthew 6:1-4 NIV),
Our Lord warns against hypocrisy and outward show in doing kind deeds to others. What we do must be done from an inward principle, from the heart, that we may be approved of God and not to be praised of men. Take heed, this sin will creep upon you. Vain (useless) glory will try to take root in your spirit, saying, "look at what I have done." This is the spirit of pride. This is the only reward the hypocrite receives is to be applauded by men and NOT the reward from God, who gives abundantly to those who serve him. BEWARE OF MERE SHOW! Now alms is a righteous action, which ought to be performed; and to withhold giving from the poor, is to deal unrighteously. It is the right thing to help the poor, widows, and the needy, just beware of the content of your heart when you give.
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