Sermonette: Do Not Sound a Trumpet
Hypocrisy in Giving
#1673s-am
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Given 26-Sep-22; 21 minutes
description: In Numbers 10:1-10, we learn that trumpets can signify an alarm of war, a call to assemble, a command to march, or for calling a holy convocation. In all cultures, the trumpet is used to mark a significant occasion like a coronation. Matthew 6:1-4 warns that certain occasions, involving the potential of hypocrisy, the trumpet is not to be sounded, such as the Pharisees desire to call attention to their generosity and benevolence. Our relationship with God is personal and private. To call attention to one's prayers, fasting, and offerings is a disgusting display of hypocrisy and vanity. We are warned about competing against one another showing off our piety and righteousness. Jesus cautions us not to let our left hand know what our right hand is doing (Matthew 6:3), reminding that if our motive for giving is to draw attention to ourselves, then we have been paid in full for that ostentatious effort. Would we rather have the ephemeral praise of men, or practice our giving secretly and receive the praise and blessing from God? Ostentatious giving is stealing God's prerogatives for ourselves, as had Satan. We should seek to glorify God and not ourselves, determining to, with a measure of self-deprecation, fade into the background, allowing all the glory to accrue to God Almighty.