Normally secrets are not a good thing.
They mean we are trying to fool someone. We want to present one front to them while we are something else inside.
Then there are party secrets, the surprise sort. Shh, don’t tell. We’re not letting your mother know we’re celebrating her birthday.
And, of course, there are the ones you keep from your children. The things they aren’t yet ready to learn. Mommy and Daddy things. Financial things. Divorce things.
What about God secrets? What are those about, and more importantly, should we have them?
Matthew 6:1-4 says absolutely!
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
This is an exceptionally long passage, and you can feel free to read it through, but let’s pull out the important parts to move this along. This passage reveals three truths in our secret relationship with God:
1. Don’t parade how “righteous” you are, or God will refuse to reward you.
2. Give generously but don’t let anyone in on what you’ve done. If they know, that’s your reward, as God considers the matter settled.
3. Don’t share your giving with even your intimate associates. Telling them negates your heavenly reward.
Wow! God is serious about this. We can’t let anyone know what we give, donate, or offer in aid to those in need. It’s like we’re supposed to keep it a secret.
And now you understand how our relationship with God works. The out-in-front, look-at-me Christians have their reward from the recognition they receive. The rest of us, God will reward us in more intimate ways.
Like a surprise party, where God is bringing all the presents.
Who wouldn’t want to be there for that?
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