But when you do a charitable deed,

do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

In connection with this statement, Jesus says: “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” And next, Jesus explains: “Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” (Mt 6:1-2) And He continues: “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” So, Jesus emphasizes that we should not seek recognition, or even glory, from people. If we apply this counsel of Christ, we are spared many disappointments. Jesus points out that we should do good deeds in secret with the motivation to please God. In addition, it is true that we thus store up for ourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy them and thieves do not steal them. Such motivation requires faith. This involves sacrifice, and you can even expect that people will slander and discredit you for that. But you have all the more credit with God if you endure all this out of love for Him. If after doing good a person is disregarded instead of rewarded, without being focused on God he will rebel, become hardened and will no longer want to do anything good to anyone. He will think as follows: “I already have my own experience; I know how it turned out, so no more kindness! I’ve already seen for myself how good deeds are repaid. There’s no point in doing something good for people; they are ungrateful and mean. I must keep aloof and give them the cold shoulder.” This is an automatic reaction of everyone when an ungrateful or cunning person throws cold water on their generous deed. But we should still do good even to those cunning and ungrateful people in secret. We are unable to do so unless we have the right motivation, namely the vertical: let them spit at me, let them slander me, I will be doing good wherever it is needed and wherever I can, because God sees me and He will reward me with an eternal reward. This is the essence of selflessly doing good to our neighbour.

If we do not seek recognition or praise from people, but do our charitable deeds out of love for God, we have God’s peace in our soul.

Download: Reflection on Mt 6:3