Jake and Spencer sharing
Jake and Spencer were standing on the river bank sharing some type of fishing line with each other. My children love to go to the river and make discoveries. If they find fishing line left behind it is like finding a pot of gold. They will tie it to a stick, cast into the river and pretend they are fishing. In this moment the person giving as well as the person receiving is not truly defined.
So many times in our lives when we give to others we want the world to know that we have done good. If we make a sizeable donation to a charity we feel its ok for others to know all about it. If we do volunteer service it’s great if others know, it makes us look really good. It is fine to share our generous hearts with others, but there is a fine line between looking for the reward here on earth or from God. If we want others to make a commotion about what a great person we are to do this great deed and share with others and that is why we are doing the deed then the deed is not done purely. No matter the reason sharing your time, talent and treasures with the world is an awesome thing to do and Americans are very generous people. However, if the only reason you do it is for praise from others God knows it.
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”
Matthew 6: 1-4
We should be like Jake and Spencer in the picture we do not know who the giver is and who is the receiver only God knows in that moment. I do believe that as a parent our children should see the good deeds we perform in volunteering and giving to others because we set the example for our children. If we donate and give in any way because we are called to do so by God and we do not share that experience with our children how will they learn. I believe Jesus was saying don’t give to impress others; don’t volunteer because you want to look better, because if you do it for attention your reward is the attention from humans and not from God.
So today be like that picture share what you have with others, receive graciously what others give and let no one but your children know, for God always knows in that moment!
