Matthew 6:1-4·~1 min

Giving to the Needy

Jesus forbids performing righteousness for human notice and rejects trumpet-like display before people. Those who seek public honor already receive the reward they wanted.

“¹Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. ²So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.

Giving is to remain hidden, even from the giver’s own hand, so that the Father alone sees it. The secret act belongs to his reward.

³But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Section summaryJesus begins with giving to the needy and sets secrecy against public display. Almsgiving is not to draw notice or honor from people. The Father who sees hidden acts remains the true witness, and his reward belongs to what is done unseen.

Role in the chapterThis first example defines righteousness by its audience: not people, but the Father. It establishes secrecy as the pattern for the acts that follow in the chapter.