The Quiet Gift God Rewards

Church Family: 
Following last Sunday's worship service, we discussed the financial steps that will bring our building project to completion. Providentially and expositionally, the next Scripture we get to in the Sermon on the Mount is Matthew 6:1-4, in which Jesus encourages a deeper commitment through the discipline of giving. He desires that our giving would be motivated by the personal reward of our Heavenly Father, who sees in secret, rather than by any public recognition.

Jesus’ sermon urges us to develop a generous spirit that gives freely, just as He does, offering love without expecting anything in return. In the first part of Jesus’ sermon (Matthew 5:16), Jesus implores us to embrace an inner righteousness that shines like light into the world through good works of love, purity, forgiveness, truth, grace, mercy, encouragement, and service, all intended to lead others to glorify God. However, here in Matthew 6:1, Jesus teaches us that when we practice outward disciplines we should do so in secret to maintain sincere motives. How can these teachings be balanced? A.B. Bruce, a pastor from the late 1800s, summarized it well: "Show good works when tempted to hide them; hide good works when tempted to show off."

In Matthew 6:2-4, Jesus describes three distinct attitudes we may exhibit when giving to particular needs, with only one of these approaches guaranteeing an eternal reward:    

1. Giving for the praise of others. Pharisees craved praise, turning giving into a performance, like trumpeters announcing their gifts. They "received their reward in full," settling for fleeting earthly approval rather than God's eternal blessing.
2. Giving for the praise of me. "Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." Even in secret, our heart seeks to congratulate itself in pride; forget the gift once given, embracing self-forgetful generosity that mirrors Christ's new life in us.
3. Giving for the Father's approval alone. Nothing escapes His eye. "Your Father who sees in secret will reward you." This isn't vanity; it's pursuing divine intimacy, joy, and treasures in our Heavenly Father that endure forever, far beyond earthly trophies.

Jesus teaches that when we give solely for the Father’s approval, He will reward us. The reward our Heavenly Father promises is Himself; He is the gift we receive. His reward is your guarantee on earth as it is in heaven. Faith in Jesus Christ leads us to seek the reward of God’s powerful presence when we give. Jesus encourages us to joyfully share His generosity and to look forward to experiencing more of Him as our reward.

See you Sunday, abundantly rewarded: Steve

GCT Prayer Needs:
Evan, Greyson, Joey, Jacob, John - USMC work
Shiloh Luke multiple surgeries for Spina bifida - parents Max and Melissa
Jeanne Farabaugh aneurism(s) in brain
Betty Jo Marshall progression of Parkinson’s
Kim Zino PRAISE no cancer
Michael Mercer healing of Multiple Myeloma
Cody Randles intestinal cancer surgery and recovery
Necey Highet shoulder/arm healing
Elliott Roberts transplant recovery
Dave Thomas and caring family
Marie Brame with sister Halina in cancer treatment
Church Building financial needs – God’s perfect provision
(let me know how GCT can pray for you)