Matthew 6:2-4. Synopsis: Jesus’s first example of properly practicing your righteousness is about giving to the needy. Our God is a giving God and He has consistently expected his people to help those who are in need. However, as the contrast between Joseph and Ananias and Sapphira demonstrates, it’s vital that we help because we want to help not because we want to be noticed. Paul reminds the Corinthians, and us, of the proper way to give righteously.

1. Matthew 6:2-4
Open Wide Your Hand

2. 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.
Matthew 6:2-4

3. A Giving God

4. Every good gift and every perfect gift
is from above, coming down from the
Father of lights, with whom there is
no variation or shadow due to change.
James 1:17
A Giving God

5. Yet he did not leave himself without
witness, for he did good by giving you
rains from heaven and fruitful
seasons, satisfying your hearts with
food and gladness.”
Acts 14:17
A Giving God

6. For God so loved the world, that he
gave his only Son, that whoever
believes in him should not perish but
have eternal life.
John 3:16
A Giving God

7. He who did not spare his own Son but
gave him up for us all, how will he not
also with him graciously give us all
things?
Romans 8:32
A Giving God

8. A Giving People

9. For there will never cease to be poor in
the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You
shall open wide your hand to your
brother, to the needy and to the poor, in
your land.’
Deuteronomy 15:11
A Giving People

10. Blessed is the one who considers the poor!
In the day of trouble Jehovah delivers him;
Psalms 41:1
A Giving People

11. Whoever is generous to the poor lends to Jehovah,
and he will repay him for his deed.
Proverbs 19:17
A Giving People

12. One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
another withholds what he should give,
and only suffers want.
Proverbs 11:24
A Giving People

13. And God is able to make all grace
abound to you, so that having all
sufficiency in all things at all times, you
may abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8
A Giving People

14. The Givers in Jerusalem

15. There was not a needy person among them
Acts 4:34

16. Joseph … sold a field … and
brought the money and laid
it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 4:36-37
There was not a needy person among them
Acts 4:34

17. There was not a needy person among them
Acts 4:34
Ananias & Sapphira … sold a
piece of property … kept back
for himself some of the proceeds
Acts 5:1-4
Joseph … sold a field … and
brought the money and laid
it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 4:36-37

18. There was not a needy person among them
Acts 4:34
Ananias & Sapphira … sold a
piece of property … kept back
for himself some of the proceeds
Acts 5:1-4
Joseph … sold a field … and
brought the money and laid
it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 4:36-37
lie
contrived

19. There was not a needy person among them
Acts 4:34
Ananias & Sapphira … sold a
piece of property … kept back
for himself some of the proceeds
Acts 5:1-4
Joseph … sold a field … and
brought the money and laid
it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 4:36-37
lie
contrived
test the Spirit

20. Giving To Be Seen

21. Giving to Be Seen
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.
Matthew 6:2

22. Giving In Secret

23. Giving in Secret
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.
Matthew 6:3-4

24. EXCELLING IN THE GRACE OF GIVING

25. EXCELLING IN THE GRACE OF GIVING
Joyful
generosity
Give yourself to
the Lord first
Excel in
this grace

26. EXCELLING IN THE GRACE OF GIVING
Joyful
generosity
Give yourself to
the Lord first
Excel in
this grace
Sow
bountifully
Cheerful
giver

27. EXCELLING IN THE GRACE OF GIVING
Joyful
generosity
Give yourself to
the Lord first
Excel in
this grace
Sow
bountifully
Cheerful
giver
Thanks-
giving

28. Text
Open Wide Your Hand

29. We implore you on
behalf of Christ,
be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:20

30. Let all that you do be done in love.
1 Corinthians 16:14

31. Text

32. Photo Credits:
All photos from istockphoto.com, crestock.com, bigstock.com, dreamtime.com, thinkstock.com, and shutterstock.com are copyright protected. They are used by permission. Please do not reuse without permission.)
Giving coin: 123rf.com: 23049403_xxl
Giving flowers: canstockphoto12815051
Girl with yellow flowers: Depositphotos_74345911_original
Man with yellow flowers: iStock_000023613006Small
Man with help sign: 123rf.com 26312875_xxl
Girl in yellow field: iStock_000013112749Small

33. Righteousness in the Kingdom of Heaven
#14
Open Wide Your Hand
Matthew 6:2-4
Compiled and Presented by:
Dave Stewart
24 December 2017
www.1corinthians1614.com
Synopsis: Jesus’s first example of properly practicing your righteousness is about giving to the needy. Our
God is a giving God and He has consistently expected his people to help those who are in need. However,
as the contrast between Joseph and Ananias and Sapphira demonstrates, it’s vital that we help because
we want to help not because we want to be noticed. Paul reminds the Corinthians, and us, of the proper
way to give righteously.
“Let all that you do be done with love.”
"Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway
Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”