Grahame Walker

James Boice comments, In Matthew chapter six, Jesus shifts his focus slightly. In Chapter five, he teaches his disciples to look inward, to their character and their motives. In Chapter six, he teaches us to look upward, to live to please God rather than to please ourselves or to impress our neighbours. If we seek God and please him, he will grant the finest reward, his presence and his power. In verses one to six Jesus condemns the religious leaders of the day who manifested their faith to be seen and gain popularity. The followers of Jesus are to practice humility to such an extent that our giving should be secret. Giving in secret ensures that we lose our overpowering sense of self. Jesus suggests in verse three that our giving should be characterised by a kind of forgetfulness, 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.