Give Like Nobody’s Watching
"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" - Matthew 6:3-4
When Jesus talks about giving, He’s not just talking about money. He’s talking about motive. He’s pointing to a deeper way of living where even our kindness is not for show. That’s what makes this command so different from what we’re used to. We live in a world where everything is broadcast. Generosity often comes with hashtags, and compassion sometimes comes with cameras.
But Jesus says real giving happens in secret. Not because secret giving is more effective, but because it reveals something about your heart. It’s not about whether someone knows you did something good. It’s about whether you would still do it if no one knew at all.
You’ve probably heard someone say, “Do the right thing even when no one is watching.” Jesus takes it a step further and says, “Do the right thing like you are not even watching yourself.” That’s what it means to not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. It’s about giving becoming such a natural response of love that you are not even trying to take credit in your own mind.
That’s hard. Our flesh craves credit. Our culture loves applause. But heaven doesn’t run on likes and comments. Jesus is not impressed by the spotlight. He’s moved by the person who gives without needing recognition.
So here’s a question worth asking. Would you still write the check, buy the groceries, serve that person, or go the extra mile if nobody ever found out? Would you still do it if the only eyes on you were the eyes of God?
If the answer is yes, then your giving is not just generous, it’s holy. Because it’s not about who sees it. It’s about who it reflects. And when your heart is right, your hands don’t need an audience.
When Jesus talks about giving, He’s not just talking about money. He’s talking about motive. He’s pointing to a deeper way of living where even our kindness is not for show. That’s what makes this command so different from what we’re used to. We live in a world where everything is broadcast. Generosity often comes with hashtags, and compassion sometimes comes with cameras.
But Jesus says real giving happens in secret. Not because secret giving is more effective, but because it reveals something about your heart. It’s not about whether someone knows you did something good. It’s about whether you would still do it if no one knew at all.
You’ve probably heard someone say, “Do the right thing even when no one is watching.” Jesus takes it a step further and says, “Do the right thing like you are not even watching yourself.” That’s what it means to not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. It’s about giving becoming such a natural response of love that you are not even trying to take credit in your own mind.
That’s hard. Our flesh craves credit. Our culture loves applause. But heaven doesn’t run on likes and comments. Jesus is not impressed by the spotlight. He’s moved by the person who gives without needing recognition.
So here’s a question worth asking. Would you still write the check, buy the groceries, serve that person, or go the extra mile if nobody ever found out? Would you still do it if the only eyes on you were the eyes of God?
If the answer is yes, then your giving is not just generous, it’s holy. Because it’s not about who sees it. It’s about who it reflects. And when your heart is right, your hands don’t need an audience.
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