Having told us what to avoid, our Lord proceeds to inform us,
II. What we should observe and do —
We should, to the utmost of our power, affect
secresy —
[Doubtless there are occasions whereon we are called to dispense charity in a more pubhc manner, and when the con- cealment of our name would have an injurious effect. On such occasions we do right to " let our light shine before men." But, in all such instances, we should have the testimony of our own consciences, that it is the honour of God, and not our own honour that we seek. Where no such necessity is imposed upon us, we should " not let our left hand know what our right hand doeth:" we should hide our good deeds /row* others; we should hide them also from ourselves. Where we have not made an open parade of our charities, but have conformed to this precept as it respects others, we yet are too apt to con- template our own actions with a very undue measure of self- complacency. Though we have not studied to make them public, we are delighted to find that they are known ; and are pleased with the thought that we stand high in the estimation of others. The oblique hints which are suggested to us re- specting the extent of our benevolence, and the greatness of the benefits we have conferred, are very gratifying to our proud hearts; and the accidental discovery of our goodness is relished by us, as a rich equivalent for the self-denial we exercised in concealing it. Alas ! what deceitful hearts we have ! At the very time that we profess to avoid the notice of others, we are " sacrificing to our own net, and burning incense to our own drag ! " If we view our actions aright, they will furnish us rather with grounds of humiliation and gratitude. For, how small are our utmost exertions, in comparison with the great- ness of our obligations, or the extent of our duty ! What reason have we also to be ashamed of the mixture of principle, which has often operated to the production of them ! And more particularly, what reason have we to adore and magnify our God, who has deigned to make use of such unworthy instru- ments for the good of his people and the glory of his name ! This is the light in which our benevolence should be viewed ; this is the spirit in which it should be exercised.]
What we do secretly for God shall be openly rewarded by him —
[He notices with approbation the hidden purposes of our heart : and every man who seeks only the praise of God shall assuredly obtain it : God will look not at the sums we give.