January 20, 2008: Give It Away – Michael Hidalgo

The sages said, “He who gives in secret is greater than Moses” (Babylonian Talmud Baba Batra 9b). As a matter of fact giving alms was considered to be the second holiest act one could do outside of studying Torah. It is no wonder then why some wanted others to know of their unbelievably righteous acts. Consider this - how would such a public display of almsgiving make the one receiving alms feel? What would it be like to be an object used so one could feel good about himself? Giving to the poor was rightfully considered a sacred thing, but to make it public was to make a spectacle of the poor - not to mention placing the credit for the provision of God in your own hands. Jesus points toward giving that is done with no hope for public recognition, but giving that done for the simple purpose of blessing others.