The fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters of Matthew are full of life lessons. They contain practical, pointed lessons taught by Jesus as He sat on a mountain speaking to His disciples and the multitudes of people that came to hear Him for a variety of reasons.

In my visit to Israel several years ago, I sat on the very mountain where it is supposed Jesus presented these great truths. In my mind, I could almost hear the words of this famous “Sermon On The Mount.”

I want us to look at the first few verses of Matthew 6. These verses change the tone of Jesus’ teaching from teaching about the law to teaching about religious duty. Jesus is making the transition from the custom, traditions, and specifics of the Old Law to the purpose of doing good that was to come under a New Law.

Jesus said, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward” (Matthew 6:1-2 ESV).

The King James Version says, “Take heed that you do not your alms before men.” Alms and righteousness are similar in meaning and would include money or good deeds. The meaning would be the same no matter which you are giving.

Jesus is teaching a valuable lesson about our attitude. He is saying that when we give or do something for someone, we need to do it and keep it to ourselves. We shouldn’t brag about what we do for or give to others.

I once worked for a man who was well known for doing things for others. The problem was he wanted praise for what he did. He would brag on himself about how much money he had given to people or causes, and then he wanted to be praised by others for what he had done. He wanted to be recognized publicly for his good deeds.

Jesus said that when we have expectations of being recognized, we have all the reward we are going to get. Our giving will not be recognized by the Father as worthy of reward. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward” (Matthew 6:2).

The Pharisees had a habit of trying to outdo each other. They even kept a record of their good deeds and bragged about what they had done for others. Jesus said that when anyone does good deeds (toots his own horn) or gives money with the expectation of praise, they have received all the reward they are going to get.

Jesus continues His teaching with the same instructions about prayer and fasting. Doing anything just to be seen of men or for praise is of no eternal value.

I recently challenged my ladies’ class to do something special for someone and not let them know who did it. The results were amazing. Everyone wondered who was behind these expressions of love and encouragement. The ladies sent cards of encouragement with no signature. One lady sent flowers to someone who had gone through a difficult time. She didn’t sign a card, and the lady is still trying to figure out who sent them!

There is just something special about doing a good deed and no one knowing who did it. It creates a feeling of “someone cares and doesn’t need to be recognized.” It says, “someone knows what I am going through, and they don’t want to embarrass me” or “someone really cares.”

Later in the chapter, Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (verses 19-21).

Doing for others is essential to living a Christian life. Holding on to “things” just to have them is wrong. Sharing them for the wrong reason will get us an earthly reward but not a heavenly one.

Since the ultimate goal for all of us is heaven, it can all be summed up in verse 33. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Sandra Oliver