February 13 I Saturday

Leviticus 14

Matthew 26:51-75

 

“If I give all I possess to the poor…that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”  —1 Corinthians 13:3

 

Would a person give all that he possesses to the poor unless there is some motivation of love and generosity? The sad reality is a person can give to the poor, not as an expression of love, but as an expression of his ego. Jesus warns us, “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 honoured by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full” (Matthew 6:2). 

     

The word “hypocrite” used to be a positive word that described actors who go on stage wearing different masks to portray different characters. After, the actor would receive praise from the audience such as, “You were a brilliant hypocrite today!” Presently, however, the word “hypocrite” has a negative connotation, as it describes someone who stage acts. Hypocrites are motivated by their reputation when they give, carefully stage managing how they can be seen and be known for their generosity. 

     

There is a tragic example of this in the early church. There was a married couple in the church of Jerusalem who heard that Barnabas sold some land, took all the money from the sale and laid it at the apostles’ feet. The married couple was impressed by the way people loved Barnabas for his kindness and generosity. They agreed to sell some land, keep back part of the money, but present the money to the apostles as if that was the full value of the property. The husband, Ananias, brought the money to the apostles, but Peter rebuked him, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” At that point, Ananias fell down dead and some young men came to bury him. Three hours later, the wife, Sapphira, came and Peter asked her, “Is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” She responded, “Yes,” and afterwards fell down dead too (Acts 5:1-11).

     

The story of Ananias and Sapphira warns us to check whether our giving is an expression of love or our ego. Jesus teaches us, “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” (Matthew 6:3). May our giving to others come from a genuine heart of love. 

 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have searched my heart and You know me. May my giving always be an expression of Your love in me. Thank You, Lord. 


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