Giving

House-group notes on Matt 6 1-4   for 13.2.22.

Giving.

[Leader: It would help if there were some pieces of paper and pens for people to use later.]

Ice-breaker:

When were you last given an extravagant gift?

How did it make you feel?

Did you make the most of it?

Could/did you share it?

Have you ever been given a gift that you felt 'had strings attached to it'?

How easy do you find it to give things away?

 How have you felt when a gift you gave has been squandered or rejected?

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Study.

Read Matt: 6.1-4

The warning that prefaces this vignette is about  the hypocrisy of self-publicity.  This is an image of the delight a person takes in being seen by others to be doing good. Of course, if a God-fearing person is living a righteous life, it will inevitably be on display to others. That's not what is being suggested here. This warning  is exemplified by a specific action which is orchestrated to look good in public, not necessarily to do good in itself.  The 'hypocrite' publicly announces his financial giving by 'trumpeting' it for others to see. This is thought to refer to the metal containers into which the coins would be dropped. The sound of the coins clanging in would mimic a trumpet. So those around, in the synagogue or the street, would be alerted to the sound and turn to see who was giving: the more the coins, the more the trumpet sounded.

An amusing corollary of this is when, today, the preacher announces there will be a 'silent   collection', ie she doesn't want to hear coins being dropped in, -only the silence of a 'folded' collection!!  [Is this a modern day equivalent?!]

But to return to the passage: those who receive the admiration of the people around, as the money clangs into the coffer, have already received their reward/commendation. Just that: the admiration of on-lookers at that moment. 

Much greater is the reward God gives to those who are generous to the poor and needy.

Q: What do you think that reward might be like?

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God asks us to be humble and private in our giving of money, -and other things that apply in this way.  Give in secret. Then comes this wonderful expression: 'don't let your right hand know what your left hand is doing,' -it should be that secret.

Q: What does this mean in practice? How do I give secretly?

Does that mean that the recipient must also not know who has given the gift? This is often difficult  e.g. cheques have my name on them; bank transfers may be traceable; cash needs to be handed over. Do I use a third party as a go-between? But then they know what I'm doing!

But if that's not possible, then at least make sure I don't go around telling other people what I've done.

Perhaps you might have some practical suggestions to share, without disclosing your own giving.

This topic of giving things away, -especially money, - is a hard one to discuss openly without seeming to boast in the way Jesus is condemning. But if we are respectful of each other's privacy, and that of any recipients, we may be able to encourage one another.

Q: How do I give to those in need?

It can sometimes be difficult to give money/things away: some people are sensitive to their poorer situation and feel embarrassed/condescended to. Tact and respect can be as   important as generosity. 

Giving via an established charity can  overcome some of theses difficulties but is less personal. 

One way of 'giving' is to share what we have, without losing it altogether. That might be an area in which we can suggest ideas and share practical experience within your group.

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It's also important to remember that if you are part of a partnership, your partner may not have the same understanding of giving away resources for Jesus' sake.

This brings us to the issue of 'giving' in the context of our church life. There is an age-old tradition in the Bible of giving part of your assets to God for him to use.  Originally this was one tenth of a person's income. Over the centuries there has been so much discussion about this. Christians still hold to the idea that we should give to God's work, through the Christian community/church we belong to. In ancient times, this would be used partly to care for the poor and needy. In the UK today we give a proportion of our income to this via our taxes, but we are still asked to give something directly to our church to finance its work.  The text for today is pertinent to this, too. We should keep that amount private, known only to the church officers processing it, and God. 

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Q:Some Christians may be in a financially difficult position at present, -more in need of receiving.  In that case, how can they give in this way?

Perhaps you could share ideas about 'giving to the poor and needy' that are relevant to those in need themselves. Perhaps the giving of time and talents, if money is short.

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Closing:  

In a few minutes of silence:

On a piece of paper [which only you will see] indicate

·         the major 'gifts' that you feel God has given you.

·         some recent gifts you have been given  by other [people which really pleased/encouraged you

·         some gifts which you have been able to give away or share

·         something which you want to ask God to give to you now.

Then perhaps close with some spoken prayers, to include thanks to God for having enough to share/give; and prayers for those we know who are in need.