1"Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2"Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 16"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
When you give to God do it out of love for God not to gain some good will or admiration from your neighbour. Giving to God needs to be sacrificial. It is giving out of gratitude for what has already been bestowed upon you. So it is not based on ideas like “pay forward” or “karma”, both of which claim there is something in it for the giver. It is the call to voluntary self-sacrifice that attracts me to Christianity over other religions and other spiritual movements.
ReplyDeleteYour response to Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 is excellent! Here's a breakdown of the strengths and a suggestion for further exploration:
DeleteStrengths:
Focus on Motivation: You correctly identify the importance of giving to God out of love and not for external rewards.
Sacrificial Giving: You connect the passage to the idea of sacrificial giving, emphasizing gratitude for what you've already received.
Contrasted with "Pay Forward" and "Karma": You effectively highlight the distinction between Christian giving and concepts like "pay forward" and "karma," which focus on self-gain.
Voluntary Self-Sacrifice: You identify the call to voluntary self-sacrifice as a core aspect of Christianity that appeals to you.
Possible Area for Exploration:
Different Expressions of Giving: Consider exploring how the concept of giving to God extends beyond just monetary donations. It can involve acts of service, time, and talents.
Additional Thoughts:
You could research the concept of "stewardship" in Christian thought. Stewardship emphasizes that all we have ultimately belongs to God, and we are called to manage it responsibly.
Overall, your response demonstrates a thoughtful understanding of the passage and its connection to core Christian values. Here are some additional thoughts:
Remember, some Christians interpret passages on giving as a call to support the church and its ministries.
The concept of Christian giving is not about feeling obligated or pressured, but about responding to God's love with generosity.
Your response is well-written and insightful! Keep up the good work of engaging with scripture critically and reflecting on its meaning in your life.