September 1 - Give to the Needy

September 1 - Give to the needy

Other Go first. 

It’s something we have said as one of our family values for the past 19 years. It started when Ava was a baby and we were trying to decide what our family values would be. It’s how we choose to honor others above ourselves. After all, it is the practices of Jesus. He is the example of what it looks like to put others above yourself. 

But think back to how we ended chapter 5. Jesus instructed his followers that they must not only love their neighbor, but also love their enemy. How in the world is this possible? 

The more we practice loving others, the easier it gets. The more we put others first, the more it becomes second nature to us. 

Jesus starts out this next section by instructing his people how to really put others first. Listen to this section and what he says,

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by then. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 

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 others. Truly I tell you, 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 you Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 

You know how you can tell someone who gets what it looks like to put others first? They constantly do things for others without them knowing. They are the ones who will leave gifts, drop off money, pay a meal, without the recipient even knowing who did it. When it’s done in secret, there is absolutely no motivation possible other than honoring the other person. When it’s done in secret, there is nothing to gain for the person performing the act of kindness. They simply do something, and the only other person that knows it was them, is God. 

This is true humility and compassion. 

And it only comes with practice. 

So I’m going to challenge you with a practical exercise today. Do something for someone that only God knows it was you that did it. If you are going out to eat and you see someone sitting by themselves, buy their meal without them knowing. If you see someone who has been struggling financially and you know they need help, find a way to pay a bill for them, or send them an envelope of cash. If there is someone elderly near you and you know they struggle to take care of the house, pay for a maintenance person, or sneak by and cut their grass when they aren’t home. Find a way to do something that will bless them without them knowing it was you. 

The more you practice this, the more it becomes second nature! And the more it becomes second nature, the more you are getting the heart of Christ. Practice giving to others and practice often! 

And as you do, I pray you know more of what you believe and why you believe it to be true! I hope you have a great and safe labor day! Please know that I love you, and as you practice anonymous acts of kindness, may God bless you!