Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6:3

The above scripture verse from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter six, is a proverbial expression that indicates the importance of anonymity when it comes to almsgiving or helping the needy. In Hebrew literature, it was customary to attribute to members of the body; such as the hand, the eye, or the ear, actions which properly belonged to the person. Thus the performance of acts of charity was attributed to the hand which should operate in secret; so secret, in fact, that the left hand would not be aware of what the right hand was doing. In many cases, almsgiving to the poor was perceived as “lent to the Lord” (Proverbs 19:17), and would be repaid in the next life, and also in this life. Rarely would a person ever suffer in his/her worldly circumstances because he/she helped the needy.

The importance of anonymity in almsgiving runs counter to the culture in which we live. Some time ago, I was approached by members of a business in town who offered to donate food to our food bank. Naturally, I was delighted with this offer, and I explained to the donors the days and times we distributed food to the needy. When the donated food was eventually delivered to our food bank, I observed that several people were also distributing advertising materials for their business. I put a stop to this practice, and elaborated on the scriptural verse that the left hand should not let the right hand know what it is doing. Those present listened to me politely, but never donated any more food to our food bank after that. They wanted a quid pro quo.

The Lord teaches us that whenever we give alms, we must do so from a spiritual motive to please God, not to be rewarded by men. Those who seek the plaudits of men when they give alms have already received their own reward (Matthew 6:2).

When you take least notice of your good deeds, God takes most notice of them. So, when you are giving, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. And, don’t let anyone else know either, unless it is for the benefit of all. Unless you are trying to change people’s incentives, you do the most good when your good deeds are kept quiet.

Fr. Hugh Duffy