Do Good, Pray Quietly

   

Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18

Concerning Almsgiving

6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before others in order to be seen by them, for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

² “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. ³ But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your alms may be done in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Concerning Prayer

⁵ “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. ⁶ But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Jesus  cautions us about being "flashy"  with our prayer  and misgiving.  It's better to do these things quietly,  without fanfare or attention drawn to ourselves. We're not here to put on a show for others, but to help one another.  Giving alms is already a good, thing to do, and to do so without drawing attention to ourselves is even better, for it might inspire others to do good quietly as well.  Without fanfare, JUST DO IT!

Bro. Rene