No Applause Needed
"So whenever you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward." – Matthew 6:2
In Matthew 6, Jesus was not just warning against prideful giving. He was exposing the hearts behind the performance. In His day, the temple had thirteen metal collection boxes shaped like trumpets. When someone gave an offering, the sound of the coins hitting those containers would echo across the courtyard. The louder the sound, the more attention you got. And some people loved that attention.
Jesus was not impressed. He pointed out that if applause is what you are after, then applause is all you will get. You might win the approval of the crowd, but you will miss the reward of the Father.
Now look around today. It may not be a trumpet-shaped box, but the stage still exists. Sometimes it is a camera. Sometimes it is a platform. Sometimes it is a conversation where we casually mention our generosity, hoping someone notices. We may not be trying to impress a courtyard, but we still crave recognition. And Jesus is still cautioning us.
The moment we give for people instead of God, we shift from worship to performance. Jesus never said not to give. He said not to give for show. Because giving is meant to be an act of trust, of love, and of obedience, not a tool to boost our image.
The Father sees what no one else sees. He notices the quiet gifts, the unseen sacrifices, the moments when nobody claps and no spotlight shines. And that is where your greatest reward is found, not in the sound you make, but in the sincerity of your heart.
Give quietly. Give freely. Give for Him.
In Matthew 6, Jesus was not just warning against prideful giving. He was exposing the hearts behind the performance. In His day, the temple had thirteen metal collection boxes shaped like trumpets. When someone gave an offering, the sound of the coins hitting those containers would echo across the courtyard. The louder the sound, the more attention you got. And some people loved that attention.
Jesus was not impressed. He pointed out that if applause is what you are after, then applause is all you will get. You might win the approval of the crowd, but you will miss the reward of the Father.
Now look around today. It may not be a trumpet-shaped box, but the stage still exists. Sometimes it is a camera. Sometimes it is a platform. Sometimes it is a conversation where we casually mention our generosity, hoping someone notices. We may not be trying to impress a courtyard, but we still crave recognition. And Jesus is still cautioning us.
The moment we give for people instead of God, we shift from worship to performance. Jesus never said not to give. He said not to give for show. Because giving is meant to be an act of trust, of love, and of obedience, not a tool to boost our image.
The Father sees what no one else sees. He notices the quiet gifts, the unseen sacrifices, the moments when nobody claps and no spotlight shines. And that is where your greatest reward is found, not in the sound you make, but in the sincerity of your heart.
Give quietly. Give freely. Give for Him.
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