Serving in Public

Something nobody ever considers is serving other publicly as Christians. In fact, most Christian invoke the quote from Christ, “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” (Matthew 6.3) How can I possible suggest serving others publicly? Doesn’t this go directly against Christ?

The answer depends upon your intention. It always depends upon your intention. I’m sure you remember the importance of context when we read the scriptures. This verse is the answer Christ gives to avoid hypocrisy. Here is the entire passage.

“Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” (Matthew 6.1-4)

If we take the full context and combine it with another important verse, we see that God doesn’t want us to help in total secret. Rather He wants us to serve others so that He is glorified rather than we are glorified. Here’s the other verse.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5.16)

Now that we know that God’s intention is for us to allow others to see our LOVE for God and give HIM glory, let’s take a minute and see how we can serve others publicly. One simple way is for your parish to either host, or volunteer for, a weekly soup kitchen. This can be public in two ways. The ones being served will experience God’s love through your service, and the members of the community will see God’s love through your efforts to raise funds or awareness of the homelessness problem in your community.

We forget as Christians the FIRST charitable agencies were sponsored by the Church. It is a recent phenomenon that such outreach ministries have been taken over by secular groups such as the Lions Club etc. The ancient Church not only served others, they did it publicly and both those who served and those who were served were blessed by God.

As part of our Lenten journey this year, I invite you to consider how much money you are saving by fasting and not going out, and offer those funds to the service of others. It can be your parish soup kitchen, or local food bank, but in keeping with the theme of serving in public, allow others to participate and be inspired to also serve others, and most importantly to glorify God.