Secret Santas

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:3‭-‬4 NIV

I thought about this verse today and what it means for us. The obvious is tharbwe shouldn't shout from the rooftops every time we help someone. But what if it means a little bit more? I mean everywhere you look people are applauded for the charity work they do. College admissions panels want to know all the charitable and volunteer work potential students are doing, so it's not as if you can keep it all a secret. But we also have secret Santa's at Christmas, white elephant gift exchanges, and half the fun is knowing you made someone happy and they will never know it was you.

I've worked with federal funding programs almost my whole work life, all them helping those with low income. With federal money comes lots of regulations, one of which is intent. What is the intent of the money? What was the intent of the recipient when they used the money? I believe this verse hits at that intent. What's the intent of your heart when you launch into doing good deeds or volunteering at the food kitchen? Is it to get your name in the paper? Is it to make a good impression to the dean of admissions? Is it to satisfy a job requirement?

Or do you truly feel it's your duty as a Christian to help those less fortunate? Be the secret Santa. We can fight the war on poverty one person at a time. The poor will always be with us yet we are called to do what we can. We cannot possibly pay for a whole buggy of groceries if we cannot spare some change for the homeless person on the corner. It's not our place to judge why they are there; only to help when we can. To whom much is given, much is required. Are you ready to give?

This is the heart we must have. A servants heart. Do good because it's right, not because someone may be watching.