April 30. True Charity
J.R. Miller emphasizes that true charity is marked by humility and secrecy, encouraging believers to give selflessly without seeking recognition.
In this devotional sermon, J.R. Miller explores the true nature of charity as taught by Jesus in Matthew 6:3. He challenges believers to examine their motives in giving and to embrace humility by practicing secret charity. Miller highlights how genuine Christian giving is an act of love that seeks no human praise but honors God alone. This message encourages a heart transformation toward selfless generosity.
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"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing!" Matthew 6:3
There are some people who want every good thing they do, to be well advertised. If they give money to some good cause — they want to have it noticed in the papers. If they are kind to the poor or relieve some case of distress — they are particular that the matter should be duly published. They take pains that their charities shall not fail to be credited to themselves.
But this is not the kind of spirit our Lord enjoined on His disciples. He told them that seeking publicity marred the beauty of their charities; that instead of announcing to others what they had done — they should not even let their own left hand know that their right hand had been doing commendable things.
Of course, Christ did not mean that we should never give to charities — except where the act would be absolutely secret. It is the heart-motive that Christ was enforcing. His disciples should never give for the sake of men\
Sermon Outline
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I
- The temptation to seek recognition in giving
- Examples of publicized charity
- The problem with seeking human praise
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II
- Jesus’ teaching on secret giving
- The meaning of 'do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing'
- The heart motive behind charity
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III
- True charity as an act of humility
- Giving without expectation of reward or recognition
- The spiritual beauty of secret giving
Key Quotes
“But this is not the kind of spirit our Lord enjoined on His disciples.” — J.R. Miller
“He told them that seeking publicity marred the beauty of their charities.” — J.R. Miller
“Instead of announcing to others what they had done — they should not even let their own left hand know that their right hand had been doing commendable things.” — J.R. Miller
Application Points
- Give to those in need without seeking recognition or praise from others.
- Examine your heart motives before giving to ensure your actions honor God.
- Practice humility by making your acts of charity private and sincere.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Jesus mean by not letting your left hand know what your right hand is doing?
Jesus teaches that giving should be done discreetly and without seeking attention, emphasizing the purity of the giver's heart.
Is it wrong to publicize charitable acts?
It is not inherently wrong, but Christ warns against giving for the sake of public recognition rather than genuine compassion.
Why is humility important in charity?
Humility ensures that giving is motivated by love and obedience to God, not by pride or desire for human praise.
How can I practice secret giving today?
You can give anonymously, avoid announcing your acts of kindness, and focus on the needs rather than the recognition.