Page 50 - Living Light 87

Friday January 24 - No trumpets allowed
“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets... to be honoured by others.” Matthew 6:2
Some people give in secret. Others give in the most ostentatious manner, have hospital wings named after themselves, plaques on the walls of museums, or names inscribed on rolls of honour. This may be the way of the world, but it is not the way of Christ. After all, where does the money that you have bequeathed actually come from? “Wealth and honour come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand” (1 Chronicles 29:12-14).
Wealth and honour come from God; it is not our place to be honoured by others. Everything we own is a gift from God, and our stewardship of it is something to which God pays great attention. So use your money wisely and under instruction from God alone. Rather than announcing this with trumpets, we do everything for the glory of God alone. If you do this then he will honour you, and will ‘make his face shine upon you’ (Numbers 6:25). Can’t be better than that, eh?
Father in heaven, rather than me trumpeting my good deeds please help me to see you as the source of everything. Amen.
Saturday January 25 - In secret
“...do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that
your giving may be in secret.” Matthew 6:3-4
This conjures up to me an attitude of giving freely, without restrictions and without fuss. Although secret giving takes the onus away from the recipient to have to feel in debt or beholden to the giver, nothing is a secret from God. That’s how it should be, and God promises rewards for acting in this way. By doing so, we avoid any possibility of puffed- up pride that can sully the situation. I can recall many examples, from my ministry and others’, when people have given ostentatiously – quite often with ‘strings attached’. These donors expect a ‘return from their investment’, usually in the form of a licence to meddle in the life of the ministry, which can often have dire consequences. Giving in secret removes this temptation and works to the advantage of both parties.
Here’s a passage we first read on Wednesday that sums this up: ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving’ (Colossians 3:23-24). By giving in secret, we are oiling the cogs of the kingdom of heaven and are resourcing others so that they can adequately do the work they have been called to do.
Father in heaven, please help me to give freely and sacrificially. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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PRAYER FOR TODAY