Piety in Giving

“Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 6:1 RSV

Piety is word that is seldom used in 21^st century America. Defined as “the quality of being religious or reverent” could have some bearing as to the nonuse of it as there are fewer and fewer who would associate themselves with being named as such. Another factor could be the misuse of the word by those who claim to be “religious or reverent” and by example are not. But this should not deter those of us who truly desire to be “religious or reverent.” The word “piety” used by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount as translated by some versions is to note the difference in a Christian’s moral righteousness and their religious righteousness, their piety. It is OK to be pious, but it is a matter of the heart and our true motives.

Jesus warns His disciples of the tendency to alter their motives in noble causes like giving to the poor. They may have love for the poor and a deep desire to help them as part of their moral righteousness, but in transacting the giving there is a temptation to put a little emphasis on themselves to show how religious they are. Jesus’ point was to draw a contrast between the motives of the religious rulers of the day with their self-glorification and those who motives were to bring glory to God. The reward the religious leaders received was the praise of men which would quickly dissipate into a faded memory. The reward of the truly pious giver is from the eternal God and it will not fade.

The religious rulers (scribes and Pharisees) were all about public appearance. Jesus instructs us that our giving is to be between us and the Lord. “Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” (Mt.6:4 nlt) Practice your piety before God and not toward men.

“But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” (Jer.17:10 nlt)