First Discourse in Matthew: Almsgiving

“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ~ Matthew 6:1-4


It's not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving. ~ Mother Teresa 


Something about this teaching from Jesus has always bothered me. It shouldn't, I know. And it isn't because I disagree with Jesus here. I have to guess that the reason it bothers me is because it is supposed to bother me.

Because there have been times, as much as I hate to admit it, where I didn't mind a little trumpet sounding to my giving. There were times I know I couldn't help but compare myself to how much I gave, or how I gave, or to whom I gave. And it bothers me that I get stuck in that thinking from time to time. Because I sure know Jesus is right here. And I most of the time understand why he's right.

I'm sure a lot of it has to do with humility and lack of self-aggrandizement.

But it also has something to do with what Mother Teresa is getting at here.

The Latin word that "charity" comes from is caritas, the word that was used in Latin as a translation of the Greek word, agape.

Agape. Charitas. Love.

The highest form of love.

Charity is the highest for of love. We don't really look at it this way I suppose anymore. In some ways, the word has taken on a negative connotation for many.

But where does love begin? Where does charity begin? 

Mother Teresa knows: in the heart. Charity is meant by definition to begin in love.

Give from the heart, is basically what Jesus is saying. Give in love.

 And when is love, in its purest for, flashy or showy?
Prayer: It all begins in love, doesn't it Lord? Help me to love and give with my whole heart. Amen

Popular posts from this blog

But we had hoped

Now on that same day two (disciples) were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles  from Jerusalem,  and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.  While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them,  but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.  And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad.   Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?”  He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth,  who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,  and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him.  But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.  Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place.  Mo
Read more

Resurrection Run

For the week after Easter, some deeper dives into the Resurrection . When (the women) looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back.  As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.  But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him.  But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.”  So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. ~ Mark 16:4-8 No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. I am not afraid but the sensation is like being afraid. The same fluttering in the stomach; the same restlessness; the yawning. ~ CS Lewis The cave you fear to enter holds the  treasure
Read more

God's People: Abram

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.  I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” ~ Genesis 12:1-3 Abram was Shem's great times seven grandson. And sometime in between Shem and Abram was the Tower of  Babel. God's creation had begun in a garden, and with sin, creation spread east of Eden. As the selfishness of sin continued, God pulled the reins in and brought creation back to a smaller size, managed by one family. But before too many generations, that family grew and spread and once again became embroiled in trying to compete with God. And so God, with Babel, sent creation scattered off near and far. So when we meet Abram - already an old man - he is part of one of the many tribes
Read more