Lesson One • Giving to Those in Need
Devotion 3: To Be Unseen
Pastor John Carter
“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” Matthew 6:3
Yesterday’s devotion talked about the idea of “being seen” versus today’s devotion about the “unseen.” If you did not read yesterday’s devotion, can I encourage you to turn the page back and read it before you continue? These devotions are designed to build upon each other. As we look through this topic of secret or unseen gifts, we have to consider the contrasting difference from being seen.
Now, if you are a logical and analytical person like I am, you immediately read this verse and say, “Not possible!” There is no physical way that your left hand can do something without your right hand knowing about it. So, what is this all about? How do we make sense of what Jesus is stating here?
I am glad you see this as a physical impossibility; it means you are a rational human being. If you do not believe me, try to do something with your right hand without letting your left hand know about it. Have fun!
As I thought about this passage, another passage came to mind regarding the body. Paul uses the analogy of the body to describe the Church. The role of each member of the body is that we are all unified in mission and purpose. He ultimately says that the head of the body (or Church) is Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:27, we read, “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”
When you examine the statement Jesus makes in Matthew 6:3 along with what Paul teaches us, you can actually begin to see how this works. In Matthew, Jesus is speaking to the believers, the children of God, and the church. Paul says in 1 Corinthians chapter 12, that we all have a part to play in representing Christ. Some of us might be the right hand and others of us might be the left hand. So when Jesus tells them to not let the “left hand know what your right hand is doing,” He is talking about us, as the church, not boosting to other members of the body of Christ the good things we have done for the needy.
Physically, we cannot do a thing with our right hand that our left hand cannot do because our mind is connected. This helps us know and understand that Jesus, the Head of the church, knows what we are doing and will connect and work in unity with the amazing things He has planned.
Have you ever witnessed when you did a good deed (gave to someone that was in need) that you later saw how the dots connected? Maybe, that person got saved. Maybe, it was the one act that helped them believe God was listening to their prayer. Maybe, you have not seen the results and in your head you might even be wondering, “Did it do any good, and did God use it?” The confidence we have in knowing that Jesus, who is God, does see what each of us is doing is special. When we give according to how the Holy Spirit leads we can be sure to know that it will be revealed one day how God saw fit to use it.
Take some time today and ask God if there is anything He wants you to give to someone in need. It does not have to always be about money. Maybe God has blessed you financially and maybe He has blessed you with time. Ask God how He wants to use the gifts and blessings He has given you to bless someone else. It might be a kind word of encouragement. It could be a hand of friendship. It may be a warm hug for a dear brother or sister. The key is whatever that act of kindness or gift to the needy might be, we do it to help people see the awesome and amazing God that we serve. Listen to the Holy Spirit and respond to what He tells you to do.