First Presbyterian Church      Rev. Michael J. Imperiale

                          Salt Lake City, UtahFebruary 15, 2004

“Anonymous Love”

Matthew 6: 1-8

Introduction.

I went to my grad school mailbox one day, opened the polished brass door, and found a plain white envelope. In it was an orange Monopoly card, the one that reads “Bank error in your favor. Collect $100” along with a $100 bill. Dottie and I never knew who did it. But some Christian friends sensed the need for this seminary couple and expressed an anonymous love we still remember.

In the discipline of this kind of secrecy, several wonderful things happen. The giver quiets the desire for admiration or the mere attention of others; the receiver is surprised with the joy of the thoughtfulness as well as the gift; and God is praised and honored by both.

I. Be Careful (vs. 1)

In this portion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is certainly an advocate for acts of righteousness, giving to the needy, and a life of prayer. It’s a good thing to live a Christ-like life. It’s a good thing to help people in need. It’s a good thing to seek and honor a life of prayer. But he begins with a warning. “Be careful, every one of you. Take heed. Watch out!”

“Don’t make a performance out of trying to be good. Don’t call attention to yourself when you do something for someone else. Don’t turn your prayers into a theatrical production, hoping for stardom.”

Jesus knows how the human heart gravitates toward self-aggrandizement. We want to be noticed; we yearn to be appreciated; we love being stroked. But that’s not why we should live in the way that our Savior either suggests or commands. We do right, we give, we pray because it’s good, it’s godly. These things will bring glory to the Lord and goodness to our lives and our world.

It’s like the story of a single house still standing after Hurricane Andrew swept through southern Florida. As a camera crew was filming the widespread destruction, they met the owner of this one house cleaning up the yard. They asked him why his house managed to escape the severe damage of Andrew. He told them how he built his house himself. “I built it according to the Florida state building code. When it called for 2 X 6 roof trusses, I used 2 X 6 roof trusses. I was told that a house built according to code could withstand a hurricane. I did, and it did. I suppose no one else around here followed the code.

When the sun is shining and the skies are blue, building our lives on something other than the guidelines in God’s word can be tempting. But there’s only one way to be ready for a storm.

In fact, at the end of the Sermon on the Mount, in summary, Jesus said, “If you just use my words in bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you’re like a stupid carpenter who built his house on a sandy beach. When the storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards… These words I speak are not incidental additions to your life; they’re foundational, words to build a life on. If you hear these words and put them into practice, you’re like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, hurricane force winds blew through – but nothing moved that house” (Matthew 7:24-27).

So, be careful, take heed, watch out. Do good, share with those in need, pray – but without seeking or demanding attention for yourself.

II. Acts of Righteousness (v. 1)

Jesus said, “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Be especially careful when you’re trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good publicity or good theater, but God who made you won’t be applauding.

The Bible often calls God’s people to works, deeds and acts of righteousness. Psalm 106 says, “Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right.” You’re a happy person when you do what is right; you’re blessed when you form the habit of justice. There is an inherent reward for doing good. And Jesus often speaks of the rewards of a faithful, faith-filled life. But here he cautions us, “Keep an eye on your ego.”

Toward the close of World War II in Europe, General Patton was wondering about his future. Would there any further need for his leadership or services? General Bradley assured Patton that General MacArthur in the Pacific would be glad to have his help. Patton replied, “No, MacArthur wouldn’t have me. You see, we fought in the same company in World War I. He was a captain; I was a lieutenant. One day when our company was ordered to take a hill, MacArthur jumped to his feet, charged up the hill urging his men to follow. I advanced with him step by step all the way to the top.” Then Patton added, “MacArthur never forgave me for that.”

The Christian life requires courage, bravery, faithfulness, and dedication to be lived well. But when one’s own glory becomes the point, it misses the point all together.

III. Giving to the Needy (vs. 2-4)

“So when you give to the needy,” says Jesus, “do not announce it with trumpets… do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Let your giving be done in secret. Then your Father, who sees it, will reward you.”

Jesus assumes his disciples will give alms – provide help for the needy. When you give to the needy, not if you give to the needy. Later on in Matthew, Jesus assures us, “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward” (that’s in Matthew 10:42). And in his illustration of the final judgment, Jesus separates the sheep and the goats. “Whatever you did for one of the least of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance.” Food, drink, friendship, clothing, healing, understanding. “But whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me. Depart from me, you who are cursed. They will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life” (that’s Matthew 25).

So it is important that you and I respond to our Lord’s call to the ministry of giving. In II Corinthians 9, Paul writes, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion. God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” And he quotes Psalm 112, “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

But, be careful! You and I have seen them in action, I’m sure. Jesus calls them “play actors,” acting compassionately as long as someone is watching. It becomes a huge spiritual problem when Mike Imperiale lives in a little world bounded on the north, south, east and west by Mike Imperiale. Or fill in your own name in that sentence.

IV. A Prayer Life (vs. 5-8)

“And when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is unseen.” Here’s what Jesus wants us to do. Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before an audience of on-lookers. God alone is your unseen audience.

Jesus is not forbidding all public prayer. Corporate prayer is an important experience in the development of our fellowship, faith, and life together. Prayer offered in the synagogue and in the streets was appropriate and helpful in first-century Jewish culture. Prayer in Sunday morning worship and in the public place is appropriate and helpful for our times and place. But public prayer needs to be supported by a much larger life of private prayer. Test your motives. If you pray more in public than in private, perhaps you’re less interested in God’s approval than in human praise. Let your prayer life in private and in public bring attention and praise to God, not to yourself.

Oswald Chambers offered this insight: “The Christian who is truly intimate with Jesus will never draw attention to himself but will only show the evidence of a life where Jesus is completely in control.”

Conclusion

Acts of righteousness are good. With the goal of accolades from people around us? Not so good. Giving to the needy is good. But with trumpets heralding our generosity? No so good. Prayer is vitally important. A life of prayer is good. But to impress others with our devotion and spiritual maturity? Not so good.

So, brothers and sisters in Christ, try it out. Do a good deed this coming week without letting anyone find out. Help someone in need this week quietly. And then talk it over with the Lord in the confidence of the inner room.