Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 19, 2023: SOAP #4885: 1Samuel 22; Psalm 17,35; Matthew 6

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. 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 men. I tell you the truth, 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.

OBSERVATION:  The above passage begins with “Be careful…”  Jesus is telling us to give special attention to this matter.  It is not to be overlooked. 

Our generosity is for our Heavenly Father’s eyes, not for the world’s eyes.  When He sees, He will reward.  But when our charity is for the eyes of the world, that is all the reward we will receive. 

Maybe we thought that when the world saw our good deeds, they would support us.  We hoped they would join us.   But according to the words of Jesus, when we try to gain man’s attention in this matter of giving to the needy, we are just trading God’s reward (verse 4) for man’s reward (verse 2).  That is a very poor trade!! 

APPLICATION:  I believe this passage directly addresses the practice of some churches to take pictures of giving to the poor and then posting those pictures on Facebook.  If that has been your practice, please pray about it.  Let God prove Himself and bless you with His reward!  

Not just for churches, this passage is for individuals.  When God gives opportunity, prove His word.  Give secretly and prayerfully take note of God’s reward. 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, you are a giver, and you want a family of givers.  You want your children to experience the joy of giving.  Giving is one way we participate in your ministry.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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