Transparent Faith

When something is bothering you, do you let people know, or do you keep it to yourself?

Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. - Matthew 6:1

In today's reading, Jesus warns his followers against being obvious in practicing their faith.

I think the same advice could apply to everything we do, from doing a favor for someone to complaining.  Why share what we do with anyone, if not to look good in their eyes?

Some may believe that by sharing the good they are doing they are giving others the idea to do the same.  I don't know about that.  If we are talking about placing a bid at a silent auction, then yes, I agree.  I need to know what others bid so I can place mine.

But in that scenario, the good intentions of all the bidders is lost and only the winner gives.

If we don't know what others do, perhaps we will offer our best bid first.

Of course there are those who want everyone to know how generous or kind they are.  These are the ones Jesus is talking about, the people who act out of self-interest.

When I was a kid, there was a television program called The Millionaire.  In each episode, someone in need of help was given a million dollars but was told not to tell anyone where they had gotten it.  I believe all taxes were paid, so they would not be in trouble with the government.

I don't remember if anyone ever had to give back the money, but it is an interesting premise.

What if every good deed we did could be erased simply by telling people about it?

All the good would be done anonymously and we would only see the results, without knowing the source.

Would that be a good thing or bad?

Those who give anonymously may be judged wrongly by those who don't know what they do in private.  We might look at a wealthy man and think he doesn't care about the poor, not knowing how much he gives or what he does privately.

I think Jesus is trying to tell us not to judge others and he does it in a way that points the finger at us, telling us not to be the ones who gossip or shine the light on ourselves.

For if we live by the glory we manufacture for ourselves, we naturally assume others do as well, and we would be wrong.

Not everyone who does good lets us know what they do.

So, today, as I go out into the world, I will try not to make assumptions about people.  I will just be open to what comes, and not seek glory for myself.

And will I do good?

I guess I should keep that to myself, right?

More to come...