2. Matthew 6:1-4: Jesus on money teaches us that self-glory is not the goal

This is the Second post that I will be undertaking over the next 2 weeks in which we will be looking at everything (pretty much!) Jesus said about money in the gospels. In order to do this I will be putting up two posts each day. This is coinciding with a 2-week preaching series that we going through at Community Church Putney- Jesus On Giving. 




Donald Trump put this as his Facebook status in December 2013,

“Show me someone without an ego, and I'll show you a loser - having a healthy ego, or high opinion of yourself, is a real positive in life!” 

Nearly 23 thousand people ‘liked’ it. 

It’s never been easier to have an ‘ego’ and self-publicise. Social media has given us unlimited exposure like never before. The technology may have changed but the heart’s selfish ambitions have remained unchanged since our rebellion in Eden.

Jesus on money teaches us to ‘be careful’ that we don’t do things for our ‘ego’, for self-publicity, and this is particularly true in how we give. 

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others 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 honoured by others. Truly I tell you, 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)

But what’s wrong with seeking to be ‘honoured by others’? I think there are a number of reasons why this goal is dangerous:

i) Idolatry

God wants to protect us from idolatry. Our giving can cause us to idolise ourselves (desiring to put ourselves central), and others to idolise us. God knows that when anyone puts man as their ultimate object of admiration and hope we lose the joy that comes from being in awe of God. 

ii) Self-centredness 

If we give so as to ‘be honoured by others’, we are not doing it for God we are doing it for ourselves- our ‘ego’!

iii) Greed

Giving so we are adored is a ‘give to get’ mentality- I give so that you give me praise, respect, favour...

iv) Grace

Giving to get glory undermines the gospel- our giving should reflect the grace of God who gives to all people regardless of how they respond. 

So let’s rewrite Donald Trumps’ statement; in light of Jesus on money it should read,

“Show me someone with a self exalting ego, and I'll show you a loser - having a healthy regard for our ego - how one is prone to having a high opinion of oneself - is a real positive in life!”

Take a moment to ask God to search you: is your giving full of awareness that your Father sees, takes pleasure in and rewards your secret giving?