Jesus said, “When you give a gift to someone in need, don’t shout about it as the hypocrites do –blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I assure you, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone, don’t tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you” (Mt 6:2-4 NLT).
In this generation where it is all about being “known,” it is so hard to see people give anonymously. But this week as I went to my office after my trip to Kazakhstan and I was pleasantly surprised to find a gift placed on my desk. I opened up the card and it just said, “We love you Pastor Seth!” I was thinking, “Hmmm… maybe some chocolate or a small book…” But I was floored when I realized that it was an Apple Video iPod! (I have to admit that I was secretly coveting it before this incident… Lord forgive me)
I quickly looked over the card and tried to analyze the handwriting to find out if it was a girl or a guy… an individual or a group that gave the gift… to see if it was a perfectionist or a relational person… I did all the CSI: Ann Arbor stuff you can imagine (I was going to do a fingerprint analysis but I had some self-control… ha!).
After racking my brain, I was left on my chair just praising God. I am wondering if this is how the “anonymous giving” works. Since we do not know who the secret giver is we end up praising the most generous Giver of all – who gave the best gift… His one and only Son.
I am so encouraged to know that there are some people in our generation who are going counter-cultural in the area of giving and sacrifice. Even though I don’t know who you are… I just want to encourage you and say, I was so blessed by your generosity… you inspired me!