Motive is the key in everything we do as disciples of Christ. What we do is important, but why we do what we do is even more important. Three common practices among the Jews of Jesus’ time were praying, giving and fasting. In Matthew 6:1, Jesus gave the principle that should guide all three of those spiritual disciplines: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.”

A society without a welfare system such as Social Security would need to create some way to care for the needy. Charitable giving became an important way to meet real human needs during New Testament times. Giving alms became a significant tool to help those in need. However, giving alms (acts of charity) easily degenerated into an attention-getting act that sought to win the approval and praise of people. According to Jesus, the way to overcome that is to give with the right motive — give in such a way that no one knows you are giving except God.

Many of the Pharisees were noted for their hypocrisy. In Matthew 23, seven times Jesus said to them, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees … .” Maybe the noise of coins being thrown into the collection containers sounded like a trumpet. Perhaps a trumpet was actually blown when they gave. It is not hard to imagine a trumpet being sounded from the temple signifying a need to give for some special cause. Suppose a Pharisee heard the trumpet, stopped whatever he was doing, and raced to the Temple with his money in hand. People would certainly notice it. Many would most likely be impressed by it. But, as always, God knows the motives of our hearts. The hypocritical Pharisee gave with the wrong motive.

As D.A. Carson writes, “Jesus says that people who give in such a fashion, whether in the street or in the synagogue, whether in churches or toward charities, whether as a company public relations gimmick or as a personal effort at self-promotion — these people are hypocrites.”

Giving is an important act of worship. It is also a powerful way to help people who may not be able to help themselves. However, behind the act of giving is our motive. If our motive is wrong, not only is our reward from God gone, but also our giving itself becomes hypocritical.

A couple once gave a small gift to their church. It was something the church needed and was graciously received. The couple insisted, though, that their names and their gift be printed in the church’s bulletin. Another person chose to give a very large gift of money to his church. He also gave with some strings attached — he did not want anyone to know who gave it! He gave with a very different motive than the couple who wanted all their church family to know about their small gift.

Helping those in need is good. Giving to the work of the church is important. But giving with the right motive is essential. Our motives should be centered in honoring and glorifying God in everything we attempt to do in His name.

Seeking rewards from God is not sinful but natural. We should not give simply to be rewarded by God. The result of giving in a way that avoids people-pleasing or self-pleasing motives will be rewarded by God, often in ways we never imagined.