This lesson is a continuation of The Sermon on the Mount that began in chapter 5.  The manual reminds us that “the Sermon on the Mount is one of the best-known discourses in Christianity.”

The text starts out by addressing the proper motives for giving.  In the Lord’s time, begging was commonplace.  The Pharisees were willing to give but because of their hearts and the way they had interpreted godliness, their giving was very ostentatious.   In a faith where everything ought to be done from the heart and unto the Lord, everything would be done without a care for what others see.  In order to assess the, actions we take, we might ask ourselves WHY am I doing this?  For what purpose and to what end?  As it says in Matthew 6:1 “to be seen of them” – in other words, “to be seen of men”? Or, to completely honor God?  The praise of men – their noticing us – the recognition they bestow goes a long way in feeding our pride.  Jesus makes it clear that He wants His disciples to get motivated and enthused by other means.  In the end, the only way to follow His directives is to ensure that the reason we give alms, or pray, or whatever it is we do – is because we love the Lord above all other things.