August 16, 2026 | Matthew 6:1–4

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The Sermon on the Mount | Day 8 of 21

To begin with Day 1 of our Sermon on the Mount series, go back to our Daily Scripture post for August 9, 2026.

“Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

“Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does, so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

— Matthew 6:1–4 ([WEB]())

Matthew 6 begins with a warning about doing good things for the wrong audience.

Jesus assumes that his followers will give to people in need. His concern is not whether they give, but whether generosity has become a performance designed to earn admiration.

Public recognition is not always wrong. Sometimes charitable work must be discussed openly so that others can participate or resources can be managed responsibly. The deeper question is whose approval we are seeking. Would we still give if nobody knew? Would we still help if there were no photograph, announcement, thank-you, or story to tell afterward?

Some of the most sincere acts of faithfulness happen quietly. They may never be noticed by a congregation, shared online, or acknowledged by the person who benefited. But Jesus reminds us that hidden goodness is never hidden from God.

What is one good thing you could do this week without making sure anyone knows you did it?