Matthew 6:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

NIV: But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

NASB: But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

CSB: But when you give to the poor, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

NLT: But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

KJV: But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

NKJV: But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

Jesus has been clear: those who do otherwise good things with wrong motives should not expect any reward from God (Matthew 6:1–2). This follows His earlier teachings, from chapter 5, which explained that attitudes can be just as sinful as actions. In fact, as this passage shows, selfish motivations can even take the "good" out of "good deeds." His current example is giving to the needy in order to be praised for spirituality and generosity. Jesus called people with such motivation hypocrites.

Here, He gives the correct model for Christian giving to meet the needs of others: secrecy for the sake of authentic integrity. Once again using hyperbole—meaning "exaggerating for effect"—Jesus tells His audience not even to let their left hand know what their right hand is doing when giving to the needy. This emphasizes the level to which Christians need to avoid letting worldly praise motivate their actions. It also suggests that we can be just as motivated by egotism, meaning praise from ourselves to ourselves, as by the admiration of other people.

As in the prior verse, Jesus says "when" and not "if" you give to the needy. Disciples of Jesus should expect themselves to give in order to meet the needs of those who are truly lacking.

Matthew 6:1–6 contains Jesus' warning that there is no righteousness is doing the right thing for the wrong reason. This flows from His teaching in chapter 5, which focused on the idea that thoughts and attitudes are as much part of righteousness as are behaviors. Those who do good things, motivated only by the approval of other people, will not be rewarded by God. Hypocrites arrange for everyone to notice their charity, as well as their prayers, because they're mostly concerned with worldly approval. True worshippers give quietly and pray alone behind closed doors; God the Father knows, and He rewards them.

The Sermon on the Mount continues in chapter 6, which is entirely composed of the words of Christ. Jesus teaches that God rewards deeds motivated by sincere devotion to Him, not by approval from other people. He teaches a simple and authentic model prayer. Christ warns against stockpiling money and possessions on earth. Instead, believers should make choices that store up treasure in heaven. A person's top priority can either be God, or money, but cannot be both. Along with that, Jesus says believers should fight against anxiety about daily needs. The heavenly Father knows what we need. All we need to do is pursue His kingdom and righteousness; He will take care of our needs, one day at a time.

Chapter 5 began Matthew's telling of the Sermon on the Mount. In that passage, Jesus pointed out that thoughts and attitudes are part of righteousness, just as much as actions. In Chapter 6, He explains how good deeds are only righteous when done out of sincere devotion to God, rather than for other people's approval. He also provides a model for prayer. Jesus explains how excessive worry, such as over money, interferes with faith in God. Knowing that God loves us should lead believers to trust Him, not to be anxious. Chapter 6 is one of the few chapters of the New Testament entirely composed of the words of Christ. In chapter 7 Jesus will introduce additional themes such as appropriate judgment, trust in God, and treatment of others.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.