Matthew 6:1 - “Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Matthew 6:1" mean?
This verse from Matthew 6:1, "Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven," is a key teaching about motivation and intention in acts of righteousness. Here's a breakdown:
"Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them..." This is the core warning. It's not about never doing good deeds in public, but about avoiding doing them primarily for the purpose of gaining the admiration or praise of others. The focus should be on the act of giving itself and the benefit to the recipient, not on building your own reputation.
"...or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven." This is the consequence. If your primary motivation is human praise, then that praise is all you'll receive. You won't receive a reward from God. The "reward" here isn't necessarily a tangible, material blessing, but rather the deeper, spiritual reward of knowing you acted out of genuine love and compassion, and a deeper relationship with God.
In essence, the verse means:
Motivation Matters: God cares more about the heart behind the action than the action itself. If your motivation is selfish (seeking praise), the act loses its spiritual value.
Humility is Key: True righteousness is often done quietly, without seeking attention or accolades. It's about serving others out of love, not for self-promotion.
True Reward: The ultimate reward comes from God, and it's earned through genuine, selfless acts of kindness.
Important Considerations:
Not prohibiting all public acts of charity: The verse is about intention. Sometimes, good deeds need to be done publicly to inspire others or to raise awareness for a cause. The key is to examine your heart and make sure your motivation is pure.
Context of Matthew 6: This verse is part of a larger section (Matthew 6:1-18) where Jesus addresses hypocrisy in religious practices (giving, praying, fasting). He emphasizes the importance of sincerity and genuine devotion over outward show.
Reward vs. Salvation: The "reward" here is not about earning salvation. Salvation is a gift of grace. The reward is about the deeper relationship with God and the spiritual fulfillment that comes from living a life of righteousness.
In conclusion, the verse teaches that our acts of kindness and generosity should stem from a genuine desire to help others and please God, rather than from a desire for public recognition. True reward comes from God, not from the fleeting praise of people.
Matthew 6:1 - “Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
What does "Matthew 6:1" mean?
This verse from Matthew 6:1, "Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven," is a key teaching about motivation and intention in acts of righteousness. Here's a breakdown:
"Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them..." This is the core warning. It's not about never doing good deeds in public, but about avoiding doing them primarily for the purpose of gaining the admiration or praise of others. The focus should be on the act of giving itself and the benefit to the recipient, not on building your own reputation.
"...or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven." This is the consequence. If your primary motivation is human praise, then that praise is all you'll receive. You won't receive a reward from God. The "reward" here isn't necessarily a tangible, material blessing, but rather the deeper, spiritual reward of knowing you acted out of genuine love and compassion, and a deeper relationship with God.
In essence, the verse means:
Motivation Matters: God cares more about the heart behind the action than the action itself. If your motivation is selfish (seeking praise), the act loses its spiritual value.
Humility is Key: True righteousness is often done quietly, without seeking attention or accolades. It's about serving others out of love, not for self-promotion.
True Reward: The ultimate reward comes from God, and it's earned through genuine, selfless acts of kindness.
Important Considerations:
Not prohibiting all public acts of charity: The verse is about intention. Sometimes, good deeds need to be done publicly to inspire others or to raise awareness for a cause. The key is to examine your heart and make sure your motivation is pure.
Context of Matthew 6: This verse is part of a larger section (Matthew 6:1-18) where Jesus addresses hypocrisy in religious practices (giving, praying, fasting). He emphasizes the importance of sincerity and genuine devotion over outward show.
Reward vs. Salvation: The "reward" here is not about earning salvation. Salvation is a gift of grace. The reward is about the deeper relationship with God and the spiritual fulfillment that comes from living a life of righteousness.
In conclusion, the verse teaches that our acts of kindness and generosity should stem from a genuine desire to help others and please God, rather than from a desire for public recognition. True reward comes from God, not from the fleeting praise of people.