B e careful not to do benevolent acts before men, to be seen by them. God does not reward such acts. When you give to the needy, do not announce it with fanfare. This is what hypocrites do in churches and in public, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, whatever reward there is in that is all they will get. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving is done in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

I have seen this and it is nauseating. Once I was asked to write a monetary note for a good cause in plain view of everyone so that I might influence them to write one as well. It was at a banquet. Those who were to receive the benefit of charity lifted their voices in praise of those who gave. The mind of man can be extraordinarily bent and manipulative. ‘Hypocritical.’ I believe Jesus put it. God grant that I may have a generous and open heart. God grant that I may give honestly and freely. God grant that I may give in such a way that only God himself is party to it.

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