Secret Giver 暗中付出
Dexu Xia
Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. Matthew 6:1
For Christopher, a physically disabled veteran, everyday activities had become more challenging, took longer to finish, and increased his pain. Still, he did his best to serve his wife and child. Passersby would see him using a push-mower to cut his lawn every week.
One day, Christopher received a letter—and an expensive riding lawnmower—from an anonymous donor. The secret giver’s satisfaction came through the privilege of helping someone in need.
Jesus doesn’t say that all our giving should be in secret, but He does remind us to check our motives when we give (Matthew 6:1). He also said: “When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others” (v. 2). While God expects us to be openhanded givers, He encourages us to avoid doing good deeds in front of people for the purpose of receiving accolades or special recognition (v. 3).
When we realize everything we have comes from God, we can be secret givers who don’t need to pat our own backs or gain the admiration of others. Our all-knowing Giver of all good things delights in the genuine generosity of His people. Nothing beats the reward of His approval.
How has God helped you through someone else’s secret giving? Who can you help with an anonymous gift today?
Loving God, please bless me with opportunities to give as selflessly and sacrificially as You have given to me
你们要小心，不可将善事行在人的面前，故意叫他们看见。—马太福音6章1节
德富是名退休老兵，身体的残疾使他越来越难进行日常活动，因他需要花更长的时间来完成每个动作，同时亦增加他的疼痛。尽管如此，他仍尽力地为妻儿付出。每个星期，途经的路人都会看到他迟缓地推着割草机，修割屋前的草坪。
有一天，德富收到一位匿名捐助者的来信，以及一台昂贵的驾驶式割草机。这位神秘的给予者视能够帮助有需要的人为一种殊荣。
耶稣并没有说我们所有的付出都要在暗中进行，但祂确实提醒我们，在给予时要省察自己的动机（马太福音6章1节）。祂还说﹕“你施舍的时候，不可在你前面吹号，像那假冒为善的人在会堂里和街道上所行的，故意要得人的荣耀”（2节）。上帝期盼我们成为慷慨的给予者，也鼓励我们不要为了得人称赞或特别的褒奖，而刻意在别人面前行善（3节）。
当我们明白自己所拥有的一切都是从上帝而来，我们就会乐意成为神秘的给予者，而无需表扬自己或得到别人的赞赏。这位全知的上帝是一切美好事物的供应者，祂会喜悦祂子民真诚的慷慨给予，并且祂的称赞和奖赏远胜于任何事物。
上帝曾如何透过别人暗中的付出来帮助你？
今天你要用一份匿名的礼物去帮助谁呢？
慈爱的上帝，求祢让我有机会能为别人付出，
就像祢慷慨无私地为我付出一样。