The Sermon on the Mount (17): Practicing Your Righteousness in Secret
In Matthew 6:1–4, Jesus turns His attention from the inner life of righteousness to its outward expression. After teaching us in chapter 5 that true righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees—a righteousness rooted in the heart, not merely in behavior—He now speaks to how we live out that righteousness in acts of worship and devotion.
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:1–4)
This passage opens a new section of the Sermon on the Mount, addressing devotional practices—almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. Jesus begins with a sober warning: be careful not to perform righteousness to be seen. It’s not the act that is condemned, but the motive. When we live to impress others rather than to please God, our reward is already spent. Human applause may satisfy momentarily, but it offers no eternal value.
The Greek word used for “righteousness” (dikaiosunē) ties back to Matthew 5:20. There, Jesus taught that kingdom righteousness goes deeper than rule-following. It is not behavior modification but heart transformation. Chapter 6 continues this theme, focusing on the hiddenness of true devotion. Righteousness is not a performance. It is not something we do for an audience.
Jesus then gives a vivid example: “Do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do…” Whether or not literal trumpets were blown, the point is clear. Some made their giving an occasion for public attention. Their motive was not compassion but recognition. The word “hypocrite” originally referred to actors in a play—those who wore masks. Their religion was a show. And while they may receive the praise of people, Jesus says they “have their reward in full.”
This is sobering. When the motivation is to be noticed, even good deeds lose their eternal value. The kingdom economy operates by different rules: what is done in secret for God will be rewarded; what is done for show ends with the applause it gains.
Instead, Jesus instructs, “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” Of course, this is hyperbole. But the message is clear: cultivate discretion, not display. Avoid self-congratulation. Give quietly, with a heart that is directed not toward credit but toward the One who sees in secret.
Jesus then offers the promise: “Your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” This is not a transaction—it is a relationship. We give not to earn, but to align ourselves with the heart of the Father. And He, who knows every motive, delights in the quiet act done in love.
In contrast to the performance-based spirituality of the Pharisees, Jesus calls us to secret faithfulness. His emphasis is not merely on anonymous giving, but on giving without self-awareness. To give in secret is to give in trust, believing God sees and values even the smallest unseen act of generosity.
This teaching stands in tension with what Jesus said earlier in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” The difference lies not in the visibility of the action, but in its aim. If your light shines naturally as you live for God, that’s good. But if you’re shining it in someone’s eyes for attention, you’ve missed the point. It all comes back to the heart.
God is not impressed by showmanship. What He desires is integrity—the alignment of inward motives and outward actions. He sees the secret places. He weighs the heart. And He rewards not according to reputation, but according to faithfulness.
This also speaks to how we approach generosity. The Old Testament system involved multiple tithes, adding up to around 23% annually. In the New Testament, the focus shifts from law to love. Giving is no longer measured by obligation but by proportion, sacrifice, and joy.
And yet, paradoxically, the more people earn, the smaller percentage they tend to give. Scripture warns us of this tendency. True generosity is not about the size of the gift but the spirit behind it. Jesus praised the widow who gave two small coins—not because of the amount, but because she gave out of love and trust.
As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 4:7: “What do you have that you did not receive?” Everything we possess—our time, talents, resources—is from God. We are stewards, not owners. The more we understand this, the more open-handed we become. Giving becomes not a duty, but a joy.
And what does it mean to give in such a way that even our left hand is unaware? It means to let go of the need to be affirmed—even by ourselves. It means releasing the gift fully to God, without needing acknowledgment or applause. It’s giving not just anonymously, but prayerfully and humbly.
This kind of hidden generosity trains our hearts. It quiets our pride and sharpens our focus. It draws us into deeper intimacy with the Father, who sees all and forgets nothing done in love. His rewards are not always immediate, but they are certain—and they shape our souls for eternity.
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Questions for Reflection
- Whose approval are you most often seeking when you serve, give, or engage in spiritual practices—God’s or people’s? How does this influence your attitude and actions?
- In what ways might subtle pride or self-focus creep into your acts of generosity or devotion? How can you cultivate greater humility and secrecy in your giving?
- Do you view your time, resources, and abilities as things you own or as gifts you steward? How might this perspective shift the way you give to others?
- Jesus warns against doing good for recognition. How can you intentionally practice “secret faithfulness” this week—serving someone without expecting acknowledgment or reward?
