No Trumpets
“So 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 honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But 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. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:2-4
We do not use trumpets, nowadays, to announce our charitable giving, but we do call press conferences and hand out press releases. Giving to those in need is essential; but we need to be careful, we may end up being numbered among the hypocrites. If that happens, the applause of the crowd is the only reward we are going to get. And, we must face the judgment of God.[1]
The Greek word from which we derive “hypocrite” was used, most often, in the theater. It described an actor who wore a mask, who was not quite what he pretended to be. He used the mask in order to fool others. Often, he succeeded. But the person has not yet been born who is able to fool God. We all wear masks; it is part of our self-defense. We wear one mask at work, another at play. We do not allow many people to know us as we really are. We are afraid that, if they find out about us, they will not like us. And so we pretend. When we come to church, the mask we wear is intended to make others think that we have everything together spiritually, that we are secure in our faith, that our marriage is rock solid, or that we display all of the spiritual fruit.[2] Deep down, however, we know better. We know that there are many areas of our walk with Christ that need repair. We are not spiritual superstars. We are insecure, and not a little afraid. Yet, we maintain the mask. We keep up the pretense. Some Christians keep the mask in place until they die. Some keep pretending until the strain becomes too much, and they break. Some discover that they do not need to wear a mask in the presence of God; they do not need to pretend.
God knows everything; He is omniscient.[3] He sees the darkest places in our hearts. He understands the things that consume us. He knows our secret pleasures and our hidden pain. And still, He loves us. But what He wants is for us to be real. What better place than in our giving?
Lord God,
I have no need of my Sunday best to approach Your mercy seat.
No special language comes between my daily experience and my heartfelt prayer.
You know me at my worst, and at my best.
Your mercy covers my sin.
With my every breath, I will praise You.
Amen.
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