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| Read Matthew Chapter 6:5-6 |
motive, and the purpose behind what we do. A work may appear righteous before men while being unacceptable before God because it was performed to obtain human recognition.
I. The Words of Jesus Christ
Matthew 6:1 (KJV)
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.Matthew 6:2 (KJV)
Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
These verses are part of the Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew chapters 5–7.
Jesus is addressing a spiritual danger that can exist among those who practice religion, give to the poor, pray, fast, teach, preach, and perform works of righteousness.
The danger is not necessarily in the outward work. The danger is in the inward motive.
A person may give generously and still seek personal glory.
A person may pray publicly and still desire the admiration of the congregation.
A person may preach the Word of God and secretly crave the applause of men.
A person may perform acts of charity while using the suffering of others to establish a reputation for righteousness.
Jesus exposes the heart behind the action.
The question is not simply, What have you done?
The deeper question is:
For whom have you done it?
II. Matthew 6:1 — "Take Heed"
Jesus begins with a warning.
The Greek word translated "take heed" is prosechō (προσέχω), Strong's G4337.
It carries the meaning of paying attention, being cautious, giving careful consideration, and guarding against danger.
This is not a casual suggestion. Jesus commands His hearers to exercise spiritual vigilance.
Why?
Because the desire for human approval can enter even the most sacred acts of worship.
One of the most dangerous forms of spiritual deception occurs when a person begins to confuse the approval of men with the approval of God.
The danger of spiritual self-deception
Consider the warning in Proverbs 16:2:
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
Notice the distinction.
Man examines his ways.
God weighs the spirits.
A person may evaluate his ministry by the number of people who attend, the praise he receives, the recognition he enjoys, or the influence he possesses.
But God examines the inward purpose.
Jeremiah 17:10 declares:
I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
The word reins is an ancient expression associated with the innermost thoughts, affections, and desires.
God searches beneath the outward appearance.
He knows whether a person gives because of compassion or because of recognition.
He knows whether a person teaches because of faithfulness to His Word or because of a desire to be admired.
He knows whether an act of righteousness is motivated by obedience or personal ambition.
Spiritual principle: The Lord does not need an audience to witness your obedience. He is already present.
III. "That Ye Do Not Your Alms Before Men"
What does the word "alms" mean?
The Greek textual tradition underlying the KJV uses eleēmosynē (ἐλεημοσύνη), Strong's G1654, meaning almsgiving, charity, or acts of mercy directed toward those in need.
There is an important textual distinction: many modern critical Greek editions read dikaiosynē (δικαιοσύνη), meaning righteousness, in Matthew 6:1. Both readings fit the larger teaching, but the KJV specifically reads "alms."
In biblical practice, almsgiving involved helping the poor, the hungry, the widow, the orphan, and others experiencing hardship.
Deuteronomy 15:11 teaches:
For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
Giving to those in need was not intended to be an opportunity for self-promotion.
It was an expression of mercy, covenant responsibility, and obedience to God.
Jesus does not condemn giving in public
We must carefully observe the language.
Jesus does not simply say, "Do not give before men."
He says:
"To be seen of them."
The phrase identifies the purpose behind the action.
There is a difference between someone seeing you perform a righteous act and performing that righteous act because you want someone to see you.
A believer may distribute food publicly because the needs of the community require public service.
A church may organize charitable assistance in a visible location.
A ministry may publicly explain how donated resources are used.
None of these actions is automatically hypocritical.
The sin arises when public recognition becomes the motivating purpose.
Matthew 5:16 and Matthew 6:1 — Is there a contradiction?
Matthew 5:16 says:
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Yet Matthew 6:1 warns against performing righteousness to be seen.
The difference is found in the intended recipient of the glory.
Matthew 5:16
Men see your good works and glorify your Father.
Matthew 6:1
Men see your good works because you desire glory for yourself.
The same outward action can produce two very different spiritual outcomes depending on the motive.
One directs attention toward God. The other redirects attention toward the individual.
IV. "Otherwise Ye Have No Reward of Your Father Which Is in Heaven"
This statement deserves serious examination.
Jesus does not merely say that the reward will be diminished.
He warns:
"Ye have no reward of your Father."
The Greek word translated reward is misthos (μισθός), Strong's G3408.
It can refer to wages, compensation, recompense, or reward.
In this context, Jesus distinguishes between reward obtained from human admiration and reward given by the heavenly Father.
A work can be celebrated on earth and receive no heavenly reward
Consider the seriousness of this warning.
A person may receive public recognition for generosity.
A religious leader may be celebrated for apparent holiness.
A ministry worker may be honored for visible service.
Yet if the purpose of the work was to obtain human praise, Jesus warns that the person should not expect the Father's reward for that performance.
This does not mean that a genuinely needy person receives no benefit from the gift. The recipient may still be helped.
But the giver's spiritual motive remains accountable before God.
The outward benefit of an action does not automatically establish the inward righteousness of the person performing it.
The judgment of believers' works
Paul provides another important principle in 1 Corinthians 4:5:
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Notice the expression:
"The counsels of the hearts."
The Lord will disclose hidden purposes.
What motivated the ministry?
What motivated the sacrifice?
What motivated the giving?
What motivated the public display?
First Corinthians 3:13 also teaches that every person's work will be made manifest and tested.
This does not mean Matthew 6:1–2 provides a complete explanation of the final judgment or salvation. Its immediate warning concerns the loss of the Father's reward for righteousness performed to gain human admiration.
Nevertheless, the broader biblical principle is clear: God evaluates both works and motives.
V. Matthew 6:2 — "Therefore When Thou Doest Thine Alms"
Observe that Jesus says "when", not "if."
He assumes that His disciples will practice generosity.
Giving to those in need is part of a life shaped by mercy.
But He immediately gives a warning concerning the manner in which that generosity is exercised.
"Do Not Sound a Trumpet Before Thee"
The image of sounding a trumpet communicates an act of drawing public attention to oneself.
There is no clear historical evidence that religious donors routinely sounded literal trumpets before distributing alms. Jesus may be using vivid figurative language to expose ostentatious behavior.
The meaning is unmistakable:
Do not turn an act of mercy into an announcement of your own righteousness.
The person who gives to obtain recognition has made himself the center of the charitable act.
Instead of the suffering person being the focus of compassion, the giver becomes the focus of admiration.
Instead of the gift testifying to God's mercy, it becomes an instrument for building the giver's reputation.
The exploitation of another person's need
This warning has profound implications.
When a person helps the poor primarily to receive praise, the needy individual can become a means to the giver's self-promotion.
The person's suffering becomes a stage.
The gift becomes a performance.
The audience becomes the intended reward.
Such giving may appear charitable, but its motive is corrupted.
Jesus calls His disciples to a higher standard.
Mercy should preserve the dignity of the recipient rather than use the recipient's hardship as an opportunity for personal glory.
VI. "As the Hypocrites Do"
This is one of the most penetrating expressions in the passage.
The Greek word translated hypocrites is hypokritēs (ὑποκριτής), Strong's G5273.
It was used for an actor or performer and developed the sense of someone who pretends or presents a false appearance.
In the teaching of Jesus, a hypocrite is someone whose outward religious presentation does not correspond to inward sincerity.
The spiritual actor
An actor performs a role before an audience.
The audience sees the character being portrayed, not necessarily the actor's true personal condition.
Jesus uses this concept to expose religious pretense.
The hypocrite may portray generosity while inwardly desiring admiration.
He may portray humility while secretly craving superiority.
He may portray holiness while seeking the prestige associated with appearing holy.
His religious behavior becomes a carefully managed image.
Isaiah's prophetic warning
Isaiah 29:13 declares:
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
The tragedy is the separation between outward expression and inward devotion.
The mouth may honor God while the heart remains far from Him.
The hands may give while the heart seeks glory.
The lips may pray while the soul desires recognition.
Religious activity is not necessarily evidence of genuine fellowship with God.
Jesus is not condemning religious practice itself. He is condemning the use of religious practice as a disguise for self-exaltation.
VII. "In the Synagogues and in the Streets"
Jesus identifies two public settings.
The synagogue was a place associated with religious assembly, Scripture, teaching, and communal life.
The streets were places of ordinary public activity.
The warning therefore extends beyond one location.
A person may seek recognition within the religious community or before society at large.
Hypocrisy inside religious institutions
The synagogue setting shows that spiritual pride can operate in places dedicated to worship.
Being in a religious environment does not automatically purify the motives of those who participate.
Someone may desire to be recognized as the most generous person in the congregation.
Another may want to be regarded as the most knowledgeable teacher.
Another may seek admiration for the length of a prayer or the appearance of spiritual devotion.
Jesus later addresses similar behavior in Matthew 23:5:
But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
The phrase "all their works they do for to be seen of men" exposes the controlling motive.
It is possible to use sacred practices to pursue personal prominence.
The warning applies to every generation, including modern ministry.
A person can become so concerned with being recognized as spiritual that the pursuit of recognition begins to replace genuine spiritual devotion.
VIII. "That They May Have Glory of Men"
Here Jesus exposes the objective of the hypocrite.
The Greek word translated glory is doxazō (δοξάζω), Strong's G1392, meaning to glorify, honor, praise, or magnify.
The hypocrite desires to be honored by the people who witness his religious activities.
He wants his name elevated.
He wants his generosity recognized.
He wants his spirituality admired.
He wants the audience to associate his actions with greatness.
When the servant becomes the center of attention
John 5:44 records Jesus asking:
How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
This question reveals the spiritual danger of dependence upon human approval.
When people become consumed with receiving honor from one another, they can neglect the honor that comes from God.
Galatians 1:10 reinforces the distinction:
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Paul is not teaching that believers should deliberately offend others. He is establishing that pleasing God must take precedence over securing human approval.
When human applause becomes the governing motive of ministry, faithfulness to God is compromised.
IX. "Verily I Say Unto You, They Have Their Reward"
The expression "Verily I say unto you" introduces a solemn declaration from Jesus.
The Greek word translated have in the phrase "They have their reward" is apechō (ἀπέχω), Strong's G568, which in this context carries the sense of receiving payment in full.
The hypocrites have obtained what they sought.
They wanted human praise.
They received human praise.
They wanted recognition.
They received recognition.
But Jesus identifies that recognition as their reward.
The tragedy of exchanging heavenly reward for earthly applause
Human praise is temporary.
The crowd that celebrates someone today may forget that person tomorrow.
Public reputation can change.
Influence can diminish.
Recognition can disappear.
But the reward of the heavenly Father is not dependent upon public popularity.
Hebrews 6:10 declares:
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Notice that God remembers the labor of love shown toward His name.
The believer does not need to manufacture recognition to ensure that faithful service is remembered.
God sees what people overlook, and He knows the difference between sincere service and religious performance.
X. The Warning to Ministers, Teachers, and Leaders
Matthew 6:1–2 demands careful self-examination from everyone who serves in ministry.
This includes pastors, prophets, evangelists, teachers, missionaries, musicians, charitable workers, and all believers.
The following questions expose the heart:
Would I still serve God if nobody acknowledged my labor?
Would I still give if my name were never mentioned?
Would I still teach the Word if only a few people attended?
Would I still obey God if obedience brought criticism rather than applause?
Am I more concerned with being faithful to Scripture or being admired for my knowledge?
When God uses me to help someone, do I direct thanksgiving toward Him or seek personal recognition?
These questions are not intended to condemn every visible ministry activity. Public teaching, publishing Bible studies, and sharing the Gospel can all serve legitimate purposes.
The question is whether these activities are governed by the desire to glorify God or to exalt oneself.
XI. The Righteousness That God Sees in Secret
The next verses provide the proper response.
Matthew 6:3–4 (KJV):
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Jesus teaches a righteousness that does not depend upon publicity.
The language concerning the left hand and right hand emphasizes discretion rather than literally requiring a person to be unaware of his own giving.
The believer should not become preoccupied with celebrating his own generosity.
True humility does not constantly rehearse its accomplishments.
True mercy does not require an audience.
True obedience does not demand applause.
The Father who sees in secret is sufficient.
XII. Final Spiritual Exhortation
Matthew 6:1–2 teaches that outward righteousness must be governed by inward sincerity.
The warning is severe because the temptation is subtle.
A person may begin serving God with sincere motives and gradually become attached to the recognition that accompanies visible service.
The desire for approval can develop quietly.
What began as ministry can become self-promotion.
What began as generosity can become public performance.
What began as obedience can become the pursuit of personal influence.
Therefore, believers must continually submit their motives to the searching light of God's Word.
The highest purpose of righteousness is not that men should admire the servant, but that God should be glorified through the servant.
Concluding Prayer
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, search our hearts and examine the motives behind everything we do in Your name.
Deliver us from hypocrisy, spiritual pride, and the desire for the praise of men. Remove every hidden ambition that seeks to exalt ourselves rather than glorify You.
Teach us to give with sincere compassion, to minister with humility, and to serve faithfully whether our labor is seen or unseen.
Let our obedience be governed by Your Word, our hearts established in truth, and our works acceptable in Your sight.
May we never exchange the honor that comes from You for the temporary applause of men.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Scripture for further study: Matthew 5:16; Matthew 6:3–6; Matthew 23:5–12; Proverbs 16:2; Jeremiah 17:10; John 5:44; Galatians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Hebrews 6:10.
