Alexander's interpretation about charity!

[saved one]

As written in the bible, it is my beleif that charity to one another should be done in great secrecy!:embarasse If one has a brother that is in need one should give to him in a special way, let me explain: One should give to him in secret!!:wink: and make sure that his brother never finds out where the help came from, by doing this do we accumulate wealth in the heaven! If we give only because we hope to get something in return ( praising, thanks etc) the glory is on ourselves and not on god the all mighty!

Giving without hoping to receive anything in return is true virtue! What is not know by man is known by god.

''O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams.''
-Saint augustine

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Alexander's interpretation about charity.

As written in the bible, it is my beleif that charity to one another should be done in great secrecy!

Scripture says (Mt 6:1 NIV): "Be careful not to do your good deeds before men to be seen by them."That means that we are not to purposely draw attention to ourselves. Doing your good deeds in absolute secrecy as you suggest is a bit extreme and smacks of legalism. I don't believe Jesus was telling us to always cloak our good deeds in surprise packages. How would Christians feed the poor or distribute food to them if we did things that way? How would Christians transport needy sick people to medical appointments? How would Christians anoint the sick with oil? (see Jas 5:13)

I urge you to re-think this thing. While you're spending time tip toeing around trying to do things without being noticed, you may be missing valuable opportunities for effective ministry that the Lord has put in your path.

SLE

 

[Coconut]

At the risk of SLE falling off his chair again... ...I have to agree with him.

To address the motive and intent of the heart behind any 'good' we are enabled by Father to do is the purpose of the instruction...whether or not we happen to be seen, or the person we are giving to knows we have given to them, is not the point Christ is trying to make. Do we seek our own glory, (desiring to boast about what a good person we are) or seek to glorify God and genuinely care for the well being of our fellowman is the point. The first is selfish to the core, the latter is selfless...

For example, I know a man who has given many 'alms' in his lifetime, and he loves to boast of what he has given, however when his own son was in need of food, he said "giving to him is like pouring money down the drain" and refused to help him.

1Co 13:3 I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned ---but if I have no love, this does me no good.


Mat 6:1 "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people in order to be noticed by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
Mat 6:2 So whenever you give to the poor, don't blow a trumpet before you like the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets so that they will be praised by people. Truly I tell you, they have their full reward!
Mat 6:3 But when you give to the poor, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
Mat 6:4 so that your giving may be done in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Mat 6:5 "And whenever you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they will be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have their full reward!
Mat 6:6 But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Mat 6:7 "When you are praying, don't say meaningless words like the gentiles do, for they think they will be heard because of their wordiness.
Mat 6:8 Don't be like them...

James 1:17 Every generous act of giving and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father.

Heb 13:21 [Now may God]...equip you with everything good to do his will, accomplishing in us what pleases him through Jesus Christ. To him be glory forever and ever! Amen.

The idea is the same as is written in 1Ti 1:5 'The purpose of this order is to arouse the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a genuine faith.'

 

[SpiritLedEd]

:coocoo:

At the risk of SLE falling off his chair again... ...I have to agree with him.

Coconut,

While I don't want to hijack this thread, I do have to tell you that I grabbed the seat of my chair with both hands and, by God's grace, remained upright. lol!

SLE

 

[Coconut]

Please bear with us a moment saved one...

LOL Ed!

 

[saved one]

Scripture says (Mt 6:1 NIV): "Be careful not to do your good deeds before men to be seen by them."That means that we are not to purposely draw attention to ourselves. Doing your good deeds in absolute secrecy as you suggest is a bit extreme and smacks of legalism. I don't believe Jesus was telling us to always cloak our good deeds in surprise packages. How would Christians feed the poor or distribute food to them if we did things that way? How would Christians transport needy sick people to medical appointments? How would Christians anoint the sick with oil? (see Jas 5:13)

I urge you to re-think this thing. While you're spending time tip toeing around trying to do things without being noticed, you may be missing valuable opportunities for effective ministry that the Lord has put in your path.

SLE

Giving and receiving praise and thanks in return is of no use! When you do so you give for yourself and not for the imperishable glory of the kingdom of heaven! That is why by giving discretely with love and compassion do we avoid such praising... I beleive Im right!

 

[Hekuran]

In Matthew 6:1 and in Jesus' following teaching on prayer and on fasting, the concern is whose approval are we seeking. Jesus' advice is to be discreet in our giving and prayer to help safeguard against improper motives.

He says that if your motive for giving or fasting is to get other people's approval, then other people's approval is the best you will get. I don't understand this to mean that we should only ever give to the needy or pray secretly.

In 1 Corinthians 16:1-3, Paul appears not to have a strict interpretation of Jesus words on this matter. He seems to be very comfortable with the church in Jerusalem knowing that the Corinthians are supporting them financially.

Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.
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My understanding of this is simply that it is easier to keep our motives pure if our good deeds are kept discreet. I don't believe that Jesus is teaching that we must go to great lengths to keep things secret, or that it is never appropriate for people to know who gifts are coming from. Better applied as a principle than as a rule.

 

[stephen]

Hello 'saved one'.....and welcome to 'talkjesus'......Some have responded to your sugestion.....sufficiently, at this point

I would ask you about 'Alexanders interpretation.......' Who he was etc.....

Sincerely....in His Love