Giving with a Pure Heart and Discretion
Paul Looney, MD • Matthew 6:1–4, Matthew 5:16, Jeremiah 17:9–10, James 4:17
Jesus encourages us to give secretly (Matthew 6:1-4), but also tells us to let our light shine before others so they can see our good works and give glory to our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16) Is it pride to feel good about giving? And what about our motives? Can we be sure that we are doing the right thing for the right reasons? The prophet (Jeremiah 17:9,10) tells us that the heart is deceptive and wicked, and none can know it, but the passage continues with God's words - "I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings." The fruit we bear is in God's hands and we must surrender judgment to him. Be open to his nudge for serving and ask him to purify your motives. Don't back away from doing good! James 4:17 says it plainly, "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them."
