Life from this hour being made whole in his power

Ethical Actions

11/02/2024
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 6:1-4

Today we’re exploring a little known topic called ethics. I know it’s sort of a controversial thing to talk about in business, much less to do. Not a lot of people know exactly what they should do though when these situations arise. So you know what, sit back. Let God be your guide. Perhaps you don’t know of any situations just yet. That’s fine, situations whether sticky or tricky still come up as a natural part of life. Ethics are those moral guides in your head that let you know what you should do when. It also is like that voice of reason that lets you know what shouldn’t be done ever if at all. You know, it would be kind of nice to have someone to turn to in times like that to act sort of as a guide and friend. Then again, we could just take a quick class on some of the more common situations and not bother anyone about the particulars again. Although, the Lord very much isn’t like that it seems. He delights in hearing from his children, however much you might bother him then. What we’re talking about today is the little known principle of getting attention. It’s really nice to have someone’s attention isn’t it, to know that someone really cares. While we’re at it though, why not just get everyone’s attention all at once. It probably would be a safer bet and save a whole lot more time.


Sure, there’s times when announcements are fine. Then again, there’s times when they’re not. Back in that day, the religious leaders soon became known as Pharisees probably because they came and oversaw what other people did. They were esteemed leaders of towns and villages, wherever they were found. These had a pesky habit it seemed when it came to leading the worship of God. They’d call everyone around with a loud voice, sort of like a town crier of later years. Some would just sit their ringing a bell to try to get people’s attention. Still others used what was known as a trumpet. You know, those were big curved rams horns back then that everyone blew on different special occasions. The Pharisees had a nasty old habits of blowing these to announce when they gave. You know, it’s sort of like the old saying ‘every time this bell rings an angel gets its’ wings.’ Only when was the last time you ever saw or heard of the angels doing any such thing. You haven’t, I already know. Then what are you doing it for, if you don’t mind my question? That’s why Jesus is God, cause he’s already got all the answers, you see. You might not fool him, just you and me. Alright, that’s how they gave. Then they also preferred street corners and places wide open in public that favored a view. Now that tells us where they gave, where people could see. It’s kind of like calling all the village together just to have a free meal. The Pharisees would grab hold of their trumpets and horns and would have a good blow. I can’t imagine the thought of this sight. The intent wasn’t to call people in who were in need of some aid but rather to let everyone else know that they had gave. It’s sort of like playing a game of who has helped now. Only with the Pharisees it was them tyesterday, today, and the day after that, always with the sound of the trumpet heard in the land. Probably every day all over Israel you could hear them puffing and blowing and making a noise until the very hills themselves came alive with the sound. It’s not wrong to give, that’s for sure. 


Back then, the giving, known as alms, took various forms. It could be any sort of good deed you could find. Let’s say someone fell. “Awooooooooo” went the horn as they helped them back up. Then the poor folks all gathered awaiting a meal. There was no better place to go, so they met on the street. “Awooooooooo” went the horn as they found something to eat. Finally, those that were tired and in need of a home got beckoned into the temple. "Awoooooo" went the horn as they opened the doors to let them all in. I mean, there's nothing wrong with what they were doing. Granted, without them probably no one would do it and something sure had to be done. Announcing it though to all who were listening, now that was a problem. It's a good way to let all the curious know everybody and his brother's own personal business. That was what Jesus likely found was so wrong. There was one other issue with it though and that was one of nobody helps but for these certain few people. It shouldn't be that way at all. Therefore, by not sounding the trumpet, the Pharisees wouldn't be telling the curious and discouraging any good deeds. They also wouldn't have been in danger of getting any medals for community service, that much is sure.

Otherwise, you'd be in danger of hearing that song as the English once said in, oh, about the Middle Ages or so.

D'ye ken John Peel

With his coat so gay

D'ye ken John Peel

When he's far away

D'ye ken John Peel

With his horse and

His hounds in the morning.

'D'ye ken' is regional slang for do you know. Correcting that's very bad grammar, I know. The correction wasn't any better, now was it? Do you know what John Peel did? Poor old John Peel always makes a tremendous noise from whatever he does, a very big deal. Thus, we could say our John Peel likes to be both seen and heard. It's something that up until a few centuries ago, children absolutely were not to be. I mean, there's a time and a place for speaking up to be sure. Wisdom then comes from knowing the difference. The proper way to give would be to go ahead and do without the announcing told about in the text. Try not to let anyone know and certainly, don't let one side of you inform the other of what is going to happen. The reason for that is quite simple. Sometimes when you give, you've got a double-minded spirit caught up in this thing. Half of you wants something and the other half thinks that thing has to go. We'll see the double-minded man in just a minute more aptly displayed.