Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 6:1 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. … 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.

Observation: This passage reveals two sources of rewards. Two things should be noted. First: one source is temporary and the other eternal. Obviously the eternal is much more desirable! Second: one source can cancel out the other. If my goal for doing good works is to be noticed in this life I need not expect a reward in Heaven.

I am thinking that ministries who entice people to give by offering a reward might be robbing the givers of their eternal reward???

Application: I have so many good motives for giving: loving God, loving His people, loving the world, compassion for those hurting, thanksgiving for what I have received, following the leading of the Holy Spirit, becoming a giver like God, recognizing that all I have really belongs to Him. And yes, giving can be like sowing a seed and expecting a harvest. But so much about the harvest depends on Him!

And when no one knows that I am giving or what I am giving, I have discovered that God takes the responsibility to repay or reward! I am blest when I know the reward came from Him!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are the greatest Giver who gave the greatest Gift to the greatest need. You so loved the world that you gave your only Son! Help me learn the joy of giving. Amen