Recently on social media, there has been a lot of short videos of people doing acts of charity whilst being filmed. For example, people like you and I are standing at the checkout of a supermarket. Someone makes a distraction and next minute, to our surprise, we find our groceries have been paid for.
Now don't get me wrong- being charitable and kind is a wonderful thing. It helps the person being served and it gives a lift to the giver. But what troubles me is the total staged charitable act and often the embarrassment of the person being helped.
Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive, but when we give we are to do it privately. To broadcast our acts of charity is to draw attention to ourselves. Jesus said that we have got our reward already.
We are to love one another, but that love should not embarrass or humiliate another. Some people are clearly embarrassed as well as surprised. Some have tried to return the money, but after making sure they were filmed, their benefactors run away.
We should definitely be kind and do acts of charity when we can. But like going into our room to pray- in secret, so should our acts of kindness be private.
When we love one another, we should love the other person more than ourselves and any kudos that may bring. Our Father Who sees all will reward us. Let's be happy knowing that. God hates hypocrisy!
"But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." Matthew 6:3-6
