Matthew 6:3

“But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth”

Certainly! Here’s a Bible study on Verse: “But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth” (Matthew 6:3, KJV).

Context:In this portion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches His disciples about various aspects of righteous living, including giving to the needy. He emphasizes the importance of doing acts of righteousness with the right motive, without seeking attention or praise from others.

Almsgiving:The term “alms” refers to acts of charity or giving to the poor and needy. Jesus encourages His followers to engage in such acts, but He cautions against doing them with the intention of gaining recognition or praise.

The Right Attitude:Jesus emphasizes that the motive behind our actions is crucial. Giving to others should stem from a genuine desire to help, rather than a desire for public acclaim or self-glorification. It is a matter of the heart, where our true intentions are known to God.

Letting the Left Hand Not Know:Jesus uses figurative language when He says, “let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.” This phrase illustrates the idea of doing good deeds discreetly, without seeking acknowledgment or broadcasting our acts of charity.

Humility and Sincerity:Jesus calls His disciples to cultivate a spirit of humility and sincerity in their acts of giving. The focus should be on the welfare of others and meeting their needs, rather than gaining personal recognition or a sense of superiority.

God’s Reward:Although Jesus discourages seeking earthly rewards or recognition, He assures His followers that God sees their secret acts of righteousness. In Matthew 6:4, Jesus states, “And thy Father, which seeth in secret, himself shall reward thee openly.” God, who sees what is done in secret, will reward those who genuinely and selflessly serve others.

Application:This verse challenges us to examine our motives when it comes to acts of charity and giving. It reminds us to cultivate a heart of humility, sincerity, and selflessness. Rather than seeking recognition or praise, our focus should be on lovingly serving others and meeting their needs.

• Overall:Matthew 6:3 teaches us the importance of sincere and discreet acts of charity, emphasizing that the motive behind our giving is paramount. It reminds us to do good for the sake of others and to seek God’s approval and reward rather than the applause of people.