Times of Giving

Many years ago while employed in a small town post office, there was a dear soul of a person wishing to conduct business very discreetly and secretively.  On occasion, this person would place cash in a plain envelope and address it to a resident who would, in all likelihood, be greatly blessed by the contents.  This wasn't directed to a specific person each time, but someone perceived to be in a financial pinch.  However, there was never a return address listed on the correspondence.  Therefore, the addressee would have no evidence of its origin.  (Granted, it's never a good idea to put cash in the mail stream.  However, in that day and time when local mail never left the home office, this was no concern.)

One couldn't help but admire the heart of this hard-working, loving person.  This person will be truly blessed for these actions, and obviously already has indeed.  You see, this giving was done in secret.  Not for show, nor for others to know, see and boast about.  It's the kind of giving our Lord "sees in secret and rewards openly."  (see Matt. 6:1-4)

We're coming into this wonderful season of the year in which we celebrate our Lord in His coming unto us.  This we may commemorate in many ways, yet a large portion of this is the giving of gifts.  How do we as Christians approach the occasion?  Could we be guilty in our preparations and giving of relating our deeds before others inappropriately? We must not.  What a blessing it is to give and know that someone has been helped in a time of need.  With thanksgiving, we should bless the Creator for permitting us the means to be a blessing and leave all the "scorekeeping" and "rewarding" to Him.

We must remember there was a group of very "religious people" that the Lord had sternly rebuked for their seeming need to be known for their efforts. (see Matt. 6:1-4)  Please note here in this passage these folks are called "hypocrites."  Their desire to be "seen" and "praised" for their "good deeds" had a reward all its own.  Yet, it wasn't the blessing of the Father.  It wasn't the blessing a true believer would desire who had given following this instruction, which simply was "to be secretive." 

Further, elaboration would be to "not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing."  In my understanding, these "hands" are working together and certainly members of the same body.  And yet, at the same time, operating in such ways of glorifying God by not drawing attention to oneself.  Members working toward a unified purpose through love and humility are not in competition with one another.  After all, we only can give that which the Lord Himself has already afforded us to give.  We're simply returning an offering of worship when we cheerfully, and with joy, bless someone in giving. (see II Cor. 9:7)

As it's impossible to be entirely unknown in our giving, may we pursue diligently the attitude of humble obedience in a life well lived to the Glory of God and His reward.  As for the dear example of the secretive giver in this article intro, this person is 90 plus years of age and still on this earth glorifying God.  This "open blessing of the Lord" has proved true through the years over this precious soul, a blessing I've been permitted to witness.  There's no telling the glory to come when this soul leaves this earth.

Praise God for true examples of Christian character. Praise God, the Giver of even the character itself within a believer.  May we earnestly desire to cultivate His gifts within us to His glory, honor, and praise.

May each of you have a happy, blessed Season of giving and receiving through the Greatest Giver of ALL!

In Christ,

Julie

Scripture References:

Matt. 6:1-4 "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.  Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others.  Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.  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.  And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." ESV

II Cor. 6-16 "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.  As it is written, 'He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.'  He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness..." ESV