Matthew 6:4

Berean Standard Bible

so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

King James Bible

That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

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Matthew 6:4, nestled within the heart of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, concludes a teaching on almsgiving with the words: “so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” This verse, part of a broader discourse on the nature of true righteousness, offers a profound insight into the character of authentic faith, the motivations of the heart, and the intimate relationship between the believer and God. To fully grasp its significance, we must explore its immediate context within the Sermon, its theological implications, and its enduring challenge to live a life of genuine devotion in a world often driven by appearances.

The Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew 5–7, is Jesus’ manifesto of the kingdom of God, a radical redefinition of what it means to live as God’s people. In Matthew 6, Jesus turns His attention to religious practices—almsgiving, prayer, and fasting—warning against performing these acts for public acclaim. The opening verses of the chapter set the tone, with Jesus cautioning that acts of righteousness done for human approval lose their spiritual value, as the applause of others becomes their only reward. Specifically, in verses 2–3, Jesus addresses almsgiving, a cornerstone of Jewish piety, condemning those who give to the poor with fanfare, seeking the admiration of others. Instead, He instructs His followers to give in secret, so discreetly that even their own left hand is unaware of what the right hand is doing. Verse 4 then seals this teaching with a promise: the Father who sees in secret will reward such hidden acts of generosity.

At its core, this verse is about the purity of motive in our devotion to God. Jesus is not merely prescribing a practical method for giving—though the call to secrecy is practical—but is probing the heart’s intentions. In the first-century Jewish context, almsgiving was a highly visible act, often performed in public settings like synagogues or temple courts, where generous donors could be praised. Jesus, however, reorients this practice toward an audience of One: the Father who sees in secret. This phrase is striking for its emphasis on God’s omniscience. Unlike human observers, who can be swayed by outward displays, God perceives the hidden recesses of the heart. The “secret” giving Jesus advocates is not just about avoiding public notice but about cultivating a heart that seeks only God’s approval, free from the temptation to perform for human eyes.

The promise of divine reward in this verse is equally significant. Jesus does not deny that there is a reward for righteous acts, but He redefines its source and nature. The hypocrites, as Jesus calls them, receive their reward in the fleeting praise of others, a currency that fades quickly. In contrast, the reward from the Father is eternal, rooted in His unchanging character and kingdom purposes. What exactly this reward entails is left unspecified, inviting reflection on its nature. It may include spiritual blessings, such as a deeper relationship with God, the joy of knowing one’s actions please Him, or the assurance of eternal life. It may also point to eschatological rewards, as the Sermon frequently looks toward the future fulfillment of God’s kingdom. Regardless, the reward is certain because it comes from the Father, whose faithfulness is unwavering.

Theologically, Matthew 6:4 underscores the intimate and personal nature of God’s relationship with His people. The phrase “your Father” is deeply relational, reflecting Jesus’ teaching throughout the Sermon that God is not a distant judge but a loving Father who knows and cares for His children. The idea that He “sees in secret” speaks to His omnipresence and omniscience, but also to His tenderness. God is not merely watching to evaluate; He is attentive to the quiet, unseen acts of faith that flow from a heart devoted to Him. This vision of God challenges any notion of a deity who is impressed by outward grandeur or swayed by public opinion. Instead, it reveals a God who delights in the hidden faithfulness of His people, who values the widow’s mite over the rich man’s ostentatious gift.

This verse also carries a profound ethical challenge. In a culture—both ancient and modern—where visibility often equates to value, Jesus calls His followers to embrace a countercultural humility. The instruction to give in secret is not about hiding for the sake of hiding but about rooting out pride and self-interest from our spiritual lives. It forces us to confront uncomfortable questions: Why do we give? Is it to alleviate suffering, to honor God, or to gain recognition? The call to secrecy is a guardrail against the human tendency to seek validation through others’ approval, redirecting our focus to the only audience that truly matters. In this sense, Matthew 6:4 is not just about almsgiving but about the entire orientation of our lives—whether we live for the fleeting applause of the world or for the eternal approval of God.

The broader context of the Sermon amplifies this teaching. Jesus’ emphasis on secrecy in almsgiving is echoed in His instructions on prayer and fasting, suggesting a consistent principle: true righteousness is not performative but flows from a heart surrendered to God. This aligns with the Sermon’s overarching theme of “greater righteousness” (Matthew 5:20), which surpasses the external observance of the Pharisees and focuses on inner transformation. Matthew 6:4, then, is not an isolated rule but part of a holistic vision of kingdom life, where every act—whether giving, praying, or serving—is done in response to God’s grace rather than human expectations.

For contemporary readers, this verse remains strikingly relevant. In an age dominated by social media and public personas, the temptation to perform righteousness for others’ approval is perhaps greater than ever. The pressure to broadcast our good deeds—whether through posts, photos, or public gestures—can subtly undermine the purity of our motives. Jesus’ words cut through this cultural noise, reminding us that the Father sees what is done in secret, and His recognition is enough. This challenges us to examine our hearts, to ask whether our generosity, our service, our faith is for God or for the likes, accolades, or validation of others. It also offers freedom: we are liberated from the exhausting pursuit of human approval, invited instead into the quiet joy of pleasing our Father.

Moreover, Matthew 6:4 invites us to trust in God’s justice and faithfulness. The promise of reward is not a transactional quid pro quo but an assurance that God does not overlook the faithful acts of His people, no matter how small or hidden. This is particularly comforting for those whose service goes unnoticed—caregivers, volunteers, or quiet givers who labor without recognition. Jesus assures them that their work is seen by the One whose gaze matters most. This promise also guards against despair in a world where injustice often seems to prevail, reminding us that God’s economy operates differently, valuing what the world overlooks.

In the end, Matthew 6:4 is a call to live with an undivided heart, to offer our lives—our giving, our prayers, our everything—as an act of worship to the Father who sees in secret. It is an invitation to trust that our hidden faithfulness matters, that our quiet obedience echoes in eternity, that our unseen acts of love are treasured by the God who knows us fully. In a world that shouts for attention, Jesus whispers a better way: live for the Father, give in secret, and rest in the promise of His reward. This verse, though brief, is a profound reminder that true righteousness is not about being seen by others but about being known by God, whose love and approval are more than enough.

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Beloved in Christ Jesus, grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light and united us as one body through His Spirit. I write to you, my brothers and sisters, scattered across cities and nations, bound together by the unshakeable hope of the gospel, to exhort you in the way of righteousness as taught by our Savior in the Sermon on the Mount. My heart rejoices in the truth of His words, particularly those found in Matthew 6:4, where He instructs us to give in secret, so that our acts of generosity may be hidden from human eyes, yet seen by our Father who sees in secret and will reward us. This teaching, though simple in its utterance, carries profound weight for our lives, calling us to examine our hearts, reorient our motives, and live for the glory of God alone. Let us, therefore, ponder this word together, that we may walk worthy of the calling we have received.

Consider, dear friends, the context of our Lord’s teaching. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus unveils the righteousness of the kingdom, a righteousness that surpasses the outward displays of the Pharisees and pierces to the heart’s deepest intentions. He warns us against practicing our piety before others to be seen by them, for such acts, though applauded by the world, are empty before God. When He speaks of almsgiving, He calls us to give in secret, so discreetly that our left hand knows not what our right hand does. And then comes the promise: our Father, who sees in secret, will reward us. What a mystery, that the God who fills heaven and earth, who knows the stars by name and holds the cosmos in His hand, should turn His gaze to the hidden acts of His children! This is no distant deity, but a Father who sees, who knows, who delights in the quiet obedience of those who love Him. In this truth, we find both a challenge and a comfort, a call to purity of heart and an assurance of divine intimacy.

Let us first reflect on the theological riches of this verse. The Father who sees in secret is the same God who, in Christ, has drawn near to us, reconciling us to Himself through the cross. In Jesus, we see the perfect embodiment of this secret righteousness. He did not seek the praise of men but lived to please the Father, giving Himself fully—His life, His love, His very blood—in a sacrifice that was hidden from the world’s esteem until the Father raised Him in glory. So too, we are called to imitate Christ, to offer our lives as living sacrifices, not for the fleeting applause of others but for the eternal approval of God. The promise of reward is not a mercenary enticement but a testament to the Father’s faithfulness. He does not overlook the smallest act of love done in His name, whether it be a coin given to the poor, a meal shared with the hungry, or a kind word spoken in secret. This reward is not always material, nor is it always immediate, but it is certain, for it flows from the heart of a Father who delights to give good gifts to His children.

Yet, brothers and sisters, this teaching probes the depths of our motives. In our age, the temptation to perform for others is stronger than ever. The world around us thrives on visibility, urging us to broadcast our deeds, to seek affirmation through the approval of others. Even in our churches, we may subtly crave recognition for our generosity, our service, our piety. But Jesus calls us to a different way, a way that is hidden, humble, and holy. To give in secret is to declare that God’s approval is enough, that His gaze is more precious than the praise of men. It is to trust that what is done in the quiet of our hearts, unseen by the world, is seen by the One who matters most. This requires a heart transformed by grace, a heart that has died to self and lives for Christ. For apart from Him, we cannot escape the pull of pride or the lure of human acclaim. But in Him, we are set free to live for the audience of One, to offer our gifts as an act of worship, untainted by the desire for recognition.

Let me speak practically to you, my beloved. Examine your giving, whether it be of money, time, or talents. Ask yourself: for whom do I do this? Is it to be seen by others, to gain a reputation as generous or godly? Or is it an offering to your Father, poured out in love for Him and for those He has called you to serve? When you give to the needy, do so with a quiet heart, not announcing your gift with trumpets, nor posting it for the world to see. Let your generosity flow from gratitude for the grace you have received, not from a desire to be admired. And do not stop at almsgiving—let this principle of secrecy shape your prayers, your fasting, your every act of devotion. Live as those who know that the Father sees what is done in secret, and let this knowledge free you from the tyranny of others’ opinions. In your workplaces, your homes, your communities, let your life be a silent testimony to the God who sees, trusting that He will reward you according to His perfect will.

I urge you also to take heart, especially those among you who labor unnoticed. Some of you give sacrificially, yet no one sees. You care for the sick, you serve the forgotten, you pray in the quiet of your room, and the world takes no notice. Be encouraged: your Father sees. Not a single act of love escapes His gaze. The meal you prepared for a struggling neighbor, the time you spent listening to a hurting friend, the offering you gave when your own resources were scarce—these are treasures in heaven, stored up where moth and rust do not destroy. The world may overlook you, but the Father does not. He sees, He knows, He delights in your faithfulness. And His reward, whether in this life or the life to come, is far greater than any human accolade.

Yet let us not grow complacent, dear saints. The call to secret giving is not a license to withdraw from community or to hide our light under a basket. We are still called to shine before others, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. The secrecy Jesus commands is not about isolation but about purity of heart. Let your giving be hidden from the desire for praise, but let your life be a visible witness to the transforming power of the gospel. Show the world what it means to live for God alone, to love without expectation of return, to serve because Christ first served you. In this way, your secret righteousness will bear public fruit, drawing others to the Father who sees and rewards.

I close with a plea, my brothers and sisters. Let us live as those who know the Father’s gaze. Let us give, pray, and serve with hearts undivided, seeking only His glory. Let us trust in His promise of reward, not as a transaction but as a gift of grace from the One who gave His Son for us. May the Spirit of Christ empower you to walk in this hidden righteousness, and may the love of the Father sustain you in every unseen act of faith. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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O Gracious Father, You who see in secret and know the depths of every heart, we come before Your throne of grace with awe and gratitude, lifting our voices in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who taught us the way of true righteousness and revealed Your heart of love. Your Word in Matthew 6:4 pierces us with its truth, calling us to give in secret, to offer our acts of mercy and generosity not for the applause of this world but for the glory of Your name, trusting in Your promise that You, who see all things hidden, will reward Your children according to Your boundless mercy. We stand in wonder that You, the Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, would turn Your gaze upon the quiet offerings of Your people, delighting in the unseen sacrifices made in faith. Hear us now, O Lord, as we pour out our hearts, seeking to align our lives with Your kingdom and to walk in the humility of Your Son.

We confess, O God, that we are prone to wander, our hearts too often swayed by the lure of human praise. In a world that measures worth by visibility and acclaim, we have sought the fleeting approval of others, craving recognition for our deeds. Forgive us, Father, for the times we have given with trumpets, for the moments we have let pride taint our generosity, for the ways we have sought to be seen rather than to serve You alone. Your Son’s words convict us, reminding us that true giving is not a performance but a sacred act of worship, an offering laid before You, the One who sees in secret. Cleanse us by Your Spirit, purify our motives, and teach us to give as Christ gave—selflessly, sacrificially, with eyes fixed on You alone, who know the intentions of our hearts and receive our gifts with love.

We praise You, Lord, for Your omniscience, for Your eyes that penetrate the shadows of our hidden deeds. You are not a God who is impressed by outward displays or swayed by the clamor of the crowd, but a Father who delights in the quiet faithfulness of Your children. You saw the widow’s offering, two small coins given in trust, and declared it greater than the riches of the proud. You saw the tax collector’s humble prayer and justified him over the boasts of the self-righteous. And You see us, O God—our unheralded kindnesses, our unseen sacrifices, our silent gifts to those in need. What grace it is that You, the King of glory, would treasure what the world ignores, that You would call us Your own and promise a reward that far surpasses the fleeting praise of men.

We lift before You now, O Father, all who strive to live out this call to secret giving. For those who serve in obscurity—the caregivers, the volunteers, the givers who slip help into the hands of the needy without a word—strengthen them with the assurance that You see. For those tempted to seek recognition, grant them humility to seek only Your approval. For Your church, scattered across the earth, we pray that our generosity would reflect Your kingdom, that our giving would flow from hearts transformed by Your grace, not from a desire for human acclaim. May we be a people who give as an act of love, mirroring the self-emptying love of Christ, who gave His life not for glory but for our redemption. Let our hands be open to the poor, our hearts open to Your Spirit, and our lives open to Your will, trusting that You will fulfill Your promise to reward those who seek You in secret.

O Lord, we marvel at the mystery of Your reward, not a wage earned by our works but a gift of Your grace, bestowed by a Father who delights in His children. We do not presume to know its form—whether the peace of Your presence, the joy of Your approval, or the treasures laid up in heaven—but we trust in Your faithfulness, for You are the God who keeps His promises. Guard us from the error of giving to gain, and root us instead in the gospel truth that all we have is Yours, given to us that we might give to others. May our secret acts of love be a testimony to Your transforming power, a witness to a world that chases empty praise, proclaiming that true reward is found in You alone.

As we navigate this age of visibility, where every deed can be broadcast and every act applauded, keep us steadfast, O God. Let us not be conformed to the patterns of this world but transformed by the renewing of our minds, that our giving may be a pure reflection of Your love. Empower us by Your Spirit to live for Your eyes alone, to offer our lives as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing in Your sight. And when we falter, when the temptation to perform creeps in, remind us of Your Son, who humbled Himself, who served without seeking honor, who died that we might live. Through His sacrifice, our imperfect offerings are made acceptable; through His intercession, our prayers rise to Your throne.

We pray, O Father, for a world in need of Your love—for the hungry, the oppressed, the brokenhearted. Use our secret gifts to bring relief, to shine Your light, to advance Your kingdom. Let our giving be a seed sown in faith, trusting that You will multiply it for Your glory. And may we, as Your people, walk in the freedom of knowing that we are seen by You, loved by You, rewarded by You, not because of our merit but because of Your unending grace. All glory, honor, and power be to You, our Father who sees in secret, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with You and the Holy Spirit reigns forever. Amen.