Do Not! (Session 1)
Do Not Give to Get
Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 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. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:1-4
Episode Summary
This opening session explores one of the central themes of the Sermon on the Mount: the contrast between the values of human empire and the way of God’s kingdom. Jesus challenges religious hypocrisy, warning his followers not to practice generosity, worship, or spiritual disciplines simply to gain recognition, influence, or approval. Instead, giving to people in need is presented as an essential expression of Christian faith—one that should be motivated by love rather than self-interest.
In this video, we’ll explore how Jesus teaches us to give, why religious generosity can become self-serving, and what it means to care for the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable without seeking applause. From the religious leaders of Jesus’ day to modern philanthropy, prosperity theology, and the ways churches can pursue status and power, this passage challenges us to examine our motivations and reconsider generosity as an act of worship, community, and participation in the kingdom of God.
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