A Life of Generosity
As Jesus was teaching people, there was a group of leaders who were not always the best role models. When these people helped others, they would boast about it and tell everybody the good deeds they did. They made sure to flaunt their good works publicly for everyone to notice them.
Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:3 is directly related to what these leaders were doing. Jesus says that when we give to those in need, we shouldn’t let our left hand know what our right hand is doing. Essentially, our goal in giving to others should not be recognition.
Jesus’ teaching is about the condition of our heart. If we’re giving to others for the sake of being recognized for doing good, then we’re not helping people with the right motives. This should not stop us from giving to others, but it should guide our motives for doing so.
When we help others, we should do so primarily for their benefit—not our own. This means there’s no need to broadcast it. Instead, we should have humility when giving to the needy. We should seek to help others because of Jesus’ love for them—not because our pride, ego, or sense of obligation compels us.
Thankfully, when our giving is shaped by Jesus’ love, our posture toward giving begins to transform. 2 Corinthians 9:7 further confirms this when Paul says we should never give under compulsion or while complaining, but instead, we should be cheerful in our giving. Why? Because God loves a cheerful giver.
When we give humbly and cheerfully, it shows that our lives are being shaped by our generous God.
God’s desire is for us to become people who give to others without expecting anything in return. That’s why Jesus encourages us to give freely to others without expecting recognition or acclaim.
So take some time to think about some people in your life who are in need. How can you help them? What practical needs can you meet? Think about how you can help them this week without bringing attention to yourself.
Transformation Starts Here
Do you want to be new?
All around the world, humans long for change. We long to throw off old habits and ways of thinking if they aren’t serving us anymore. Thousands of self-help books, podcasts, articles, and all kinds of media exist for this very reason. We know we need to change, and we want to! And yet it can feel impossible.
Paul, one of Jesus’ disciples, shares this powerful truth in Romans 12:2 (NIV):
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Transformed by the renewing of our minds. What does this mean?
Transformation is a massive change. It’s thorough. Complete. A total difference. Like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, transformation brings an end to the old and a beginning to the new.
Paul is showing us that transformation isn’t work we do from the outside in—transformation happens from the inside out. It ...