So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 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. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:2-4

I don’t like controversy for articles; it feels cheap. But there is one minor undercurrent (in the current discourse, it was huge in an earlier era) about the propriety of Church giving as outreach. That is to say, is it correct to put the congregation’s name on, for example, bags of donated food from a food pantry?

My firm and unequivocal answer (I speak not from the Lord but from Ethan) is yes. This sort of “advertisement” is more than acceptable. The reasoning is simple. The early church made no distinction between fellowship and benevolence among members (Acts 2:45) and so helping one another was automatic, joyful and not a “benefit of membership” advertised to entice conversion. The New Testament writers didn’t discuss deeply the need to help nonbelievers, but Jesus taught generosity even to enemies (“give him your cloak also”) especially in the example of the Good Samaritan, a Gentile like many of us.

So that’s the principle that allows for giving to nonbelievers, the justification for which is hard to believe is needed, but what about the congregational promotion element? Well, this is simple in my mind because it averts personal bragging. The only boasting that occurs is in the work of the Lord through a particular group of the members of his Body. We glorify God when we give him credit for the good work we do together.

So go, do good and give God the glory.

Ethan Kirl