Secret Giving

"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 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. Then  your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

- In Matthew 5:16, Jesus calls Christians to shine God's light so that the world will see our good works and glorify the Lord we serve. But God is not pleased when we show off our good works for the purpose of self-glorification. Too often, we serve those in need or give to the poor to make ourselves look good and to build up our own reputations. Ironically, God is sometimes the last thing on our minds when we practice good works for the world to see. Because pride is such a dangerous temptation, when we give, it is better to do so in secret. Though we may not receive the praise of people, God will surely rewards us.

Secret Prayer

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their rewards in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,  your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

- Jesus describes two kinds of prayer. The first is "showcase prayer," which is when a person prays in a way that draws attention to himself because he wants to be recognized as spiritual and holy. His religion gives him status, and he maintains that status through public prayer. The second kind of prayer is "relational prayer." This is prayer that seeks private time and deeper intimacy with God. Then our loving Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward us. Showcase prayer seeks public rewards and acclaim, but relational prayer strengthens character, increases faith, and cultivates a deeper sense of the Father's presence and love.