Matthew 6:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Yet, the true reward for their compassion will be unveiled when the Savior and Judge declares, before all the angels and saints, on the day of reckoning, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. I was hungry, and you provided for Me; I was thirsty, and you offered Me drink; I was a stranger, and you welcomed Me; I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. As you have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, so you have done it unto Me” (Matthew 25:34-36, 40).

However, when you are made known by God, no one will cast judgment upon you except perhaps an unrighteous person, for a good person is often resented by the wicked. It is certain that a good act performed in secrecy will not be abandoned by God; in this present age, He brings it to light, and in the age to come, He will glorify it, for the glory belongs to God.

Thus, be assured that your heavenly Father, who perceives the unseen, knows that nothing can be hidden from Him, and He will reward you openly. This reward may sometimes manifest in this life, where the giver’s hand is filled generously; yet, it will be especially clear on the Day of Christ's Judgment, when the recompense for your actions and intentions will be revealed. ‘What do you desire? - St. Chrysostom comments. - Is it not that your deeds be witnessed? Look, you have not merely angels or archangels as witnesses, but the Almighty God Himself. If you long for human witnesses, He will grant your request: if you seek to display yourself now, you may show yourself to a few, yet if you try to hide, God Himself will proclaim you to the entire world. Those who observe you now may charge you with pride, but on that day, all will marvel at you. Even if God refrains from punishing your desire for glory, it remains unbecoming for one seeking reputation to trade God for humanity by parading their good works. The King of Heaven desires to behold your actions; why do you turn away from Him in seeking human admiration?’ Your heavenly Father gazes upon you; strive to be worthy of such a Father. This was the way the saints of God extended mercy to their neighbors. Their lives are filled with poignant accounts of discreet charity. Recall how St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of Christ surreptitiously cast gold into the window of a destitute man’s home to help him marry off his three daughters. Remember how our Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk generously yet secretly provided for the poor through his helper. Even in our sinful times, by God’s grace, there exist such benevolent souls, known only to Him. They understand that true poverty feels ashamed to seek charity; it pains the needy to acknowledge their reliance on others, to subsist on the leftovers of others. Therefore, why expose the unfortunate to this embarrassment? Instead, offer charity in a manner that spares them shame, and you will have no grounds for vanity. How sweet the joy of your soul will be when you do good in secrecy! Your heart will sense that God’s blessing has showered upon it like dew from heaven, descending from above through the prayer of the poor whom you have uplifted with your kindness. Your unseen act of goodness will nourish your soul like heavenly manna and bring joy to your heart like oil of gladness, revealing to you the profound happiness that one act of Christian love can bestow. Let not your hand boast of what it accomplishes!

Instead, keep in mind that in performing unselfish deeds, we are not accomplishing anything extraordinary deserving of commendation; we simply fulfill our obligations and carry out God's will. For further insight on verse 4, refer back to verses 1 and 2.

In these teachings from the Gospel, the Lord delineates the purely spiritual significance of charitable giving, emphasizing that it is directed solely toward God, to be performed in His sight as an offering of worship. In contemporary terms, there tends to be a prevailing notion that charity pertains primarily to human relations, focusing on the individual's role in society. When we engage in charitable actions, we often view them as merely beneficial to others. Our donations to public causes are seen as contributions to the greater good of society, with the idea of God’s acknowledgment taking a secondary role—if it is considered at all. Thus, it is natural for us to seek recognition for our good deeds; when we help someone in need, we look for expressions of gratitude, and when we support a cause, we desire acknowledgment from the community. Conversations about our generosity and the press coverage of our charitable actions often become a necessary component of our altruistic endeavors, especially if we are motivated by human commendation. We expect tangible results—a reflection of our efforts, a sign that our contributions have borne fruit.

However, God's perspective on our actions is markedly different. In the act of giving, our relationship with God should be central. Our charitable efforts become a sacrifice offered to Him, with the person receiving the aid serving as a living altar through which we can express our devotion. It is crucial to recognize that the acknowledgment from others does not determine the value of our gift. What matters is whether our offering is pleasing to God. The purity of our intentions—free from self-serving motives and desires for human recognition—enhances the likelihood that our sacrifice will be accepted.

In sacred narratives, the sacrifices of Cain and Abel illustrate this concept. Observers saw that Abel's offering ascended directly to heaven, while Cain's dissipated over the earth, signifying God's acceptance of one and rejection of the other. Such a principle can be applied to our charitable deeds. It is unfavorable if our acts of kindness become a spectacle, spread widely by the media. Conversely, it is commendable if they rise to God in the quietude of our sincere hearts, much like Abel's offering.

If we approach almsgiving and charity with this understanding, it follows that we would avoid making our deeds known to others and instead strive to keep them hidden, just as we keep our most sacred prayers private. We would refrain from self-congratulation for what we have done and avoid attributing significance to our actions based on external accolades. In reality, our charitable acts are made solely for the glory of God.

When we light a candle before an icon or offer incense, the act itself, whether grand or modest, holds minimal value in the eyes of God compared to the faith and love that motivate it. The size or quality of our offerings is inconsequential to Him. Thus, the true benefactor understands that their contributions, regardless of magnitude, are insignificant from a divine perspective; all belongs to God, and our gifts reflect our opportunity to demonstrate love and reverence toward Him.

The benefactor gives without dwelling on the importance of the act, simply grateful for the chance to honor God and unburdened by thoughts of prior deeds, which are transient like the fragrance of incense. Those who seek human acknowledgment or public approval for their good works, leveraging their generosity in social circles, must realize that such actions are merely human in nature—unreflective of true Christian practice. Their efforts will yield no lasting spiritual impact and will vanish along with worldly recognition, as they neglect to fulfill Christ's commandment.

Public awareness of charitable works, akin to boasting about one's devoutness in prayer or the manner in which one worships, should remain a deeply personal affair, shielded from the scrutiny of others. Every act of kindness should ultimately be a manifestation of our communion with God, our offering of praise, and our expression of gratitude.