Giving to the Needy

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.“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. - Matt. 6:1-4
     In Matthew chapter six, verses 1-4, Jesus preaches about giving to the needy.  He said that you shouldn't give to people and let people know about it like the hypocrites do, but to do it in secret so that no one knows.  This can be applied to my life when I give an offering or donation at church or some other organization.  I shouldn't tell people how much I gave or whatever, because then I am seeking glory from others to myself to show people how good I am like the hypocrites Jesus warns us about in his speech about giving.  He says that: "When you give to the needy, do not let you left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that you giving may be done in secret.  And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."  So we should not give in public knowledge for our own glory, but in secret so that we may serve and glorify God, who is the only one we should worry about pleasing. 

Assignment #7

  I have always grown up never trick or treating or dressing up (except maybe once or twice).  My parents always told me that Halloween is "evil and that it's Satan's night to have fun or something" (not there exact words, but something like that) and i've never had a problem with it.  We didn't even really go to the fall festivals either.  But lately, and after reading the article, I kinda realized that Halloween is just like any other night.  Satan and his demons are hard at work, like always, trying to do what they do.  It is just that the spiritual warfare is seen more because were thinking about it I guess.  I can see why my parents would want to "protect" me, but I don't think that there is anything wrong with carving jack-o-lanterns or walking door to door and getting candy.  Although Halloween did start as a pagan holiday, like Christmas, the first thing I think of when I hear Halloween is candy and costumes, not demons and evil spirits (In the same way, ask yourself what you’re doing on Halloween and why. Are you going to a seance, using the night as an excuse to wear an “adult nurse” costume or see how fast you can get throw-up drunk? Probably not a good idea. But are you dressing up as a member of Team Zissou, hanging out with friends and bobbing for apples? That’s probably OK. We haven’t Christianized Halloween like we have with Christmas and Easter traditions—but most of the Halloween traditions that American culture celebrates are innocent fun, not pagan. Carving Justin Bieber’s face into a pumpkin doesn’t bring to mind protection against evil spirits, and putting on a Snooki mask doesn't equate dancing around a fire to protect yourself against demons).  I do agree with the article that, unless you're some devil worshiper, Halloween can be a fun time to go around dressed like your favorite whatever and get some free candy(As with many of our traditions, it’s worth taking the time to look back and wonder, “Where did this come from?” Halloween is no exception. And, like many of our holidays, it can be misused, abused and downright non-Christian. But using the time to have some fun with friends and give kids some candy? That seems like a pretty Christian thing to do. Just don’t give the kids a tract instead of candy. That's just mean*).  Would I let my kids do it though?  I don't really know, because i've always grown up not doing it.  I guess i'll have to see when I get there.

*Underlined portions from the REVELANT  Magazine article: http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/current-events/features/23301-is-halloween-good-or-evil