Do You Give in Secret?

Generally, when you give, do you give in secret? You know, where only God the Father knows what you are doing, and rewards you openly, because you did it in secret (see Matthew 6:1-4). Your motivation is love, and the desire to please Him?

Do You Give Openly?

Matthew 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

When people give openly before others, they are seeking the honor of man, and already have their reward. Unfortunately, it carries no eternal value, even though others may benefit by their action. If it is not done in love, it will not profit them in the long run (see 1 Corinthians 13:3).

1 Corinthians 3:12-15 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Let’s Go Deeper than Rewards

If one has an incessant need for man’s affirmation, versus lovingly wanting to please the Father, something may be lacking in his relationship with the Father. One reason is he may be disconnected with his identity in Jesus Christ. If he does not see himself as being valuable in the Father’s eyes, there will be a tendency to seek approval elsewhere. When you know His love for you, you will find the need for man’s approval to be nonexistent. At least, greatly diminished.

Unfortunately, giving to get will wear a person out. No matter how much he gives, he will never feel it’s enough. Why? Because he will never feel worthy enough to stop performing, and that makes for a never-ending quest for love and attention. There may be moments when the individual may feel fulfilled, but they are fast fleeting occurrences.

 In some cases, people are easily manipulated by those who recognize this trait, and prey upon them. Unscrupulous people love to dangle their affection to such in order to string them along. If they don’t perform, they cut off their affection. It’s the old carrot/stick principle, which keeps them under their thumb. Generally, this works well as long as the individual does not recognize the other is taking advantage of him. Sadly, some will continue to give out, even though they do know it. They are that desperate for affirmation.

  They have yet to experience God’s unconditional love for them; hence, they have no confidence in their relationship with Him. That is a mighty big hole to fill, and frankly, they do not have a big enough shovel in order to fill it. How many grew up having to perform for love and affection from their parents? If you’re one who brought this mindset into your relationship with God, you will lack confidence He does indeed love you. Of course, this bleeds into how much you trust He actually listens to you, and answers your prayers.

Another obvious reason people love to openly give, and do “good deeds” for everyone to see is they are hypocrites. They are trying to make others believe they are something they are not. “I’m a good Christian, look at how much I give to the poor.” We all may have hypocritical moments; but that is not the same as being a true-blue hypocrite who is nothing more than an actor. They pretty much do not have a sincere bone in their body. They have no relationship with the Father, because they have not humbled themselves before the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 5:39-44 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me. And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

Confidence to Give in Secret

1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:16-19 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love Him, because He first loved us.

For the doubters: your love for God is proof He loves you, because you could not love Him without Him first loving you. The fact He sent Jesus to die for your sins underscores, and highlights this truth. Make the decision to believe, and receive His love, and you will be free to give in secret with no strings attached!

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