[Matthew 6:1-18]

Jesus talks about doing things in secret. More accurately, he talks about doing three things secretly-giving, praying, and fasting. He seems to be talking about motives, about not doing good things only to impress other people.

As he talks, he is contrasting the recognition from people with the recognition from God. He suggests that the latter is more important than the former.

I’ve had people wonder whether they lost out with God if someone found out about their giving. I know of people who are concerned about praying in public, who are afraid of praying so other people hear because of this concern with pride.

It seems to me, however, that there is a risk of negative motivation. We focus on the ‘don’t’ part of these sentences, and the potential of punishment. But what if it isn’t about avoiding pride? What if Jesus’s greatest concern isn’t with avoiding people knowing.

What if his biggest interest is pursuing a conspiratorial relationship with the Father?

You know the feeling when you work with someone else to plan a wonderful surprise? A surprise where some third person will get what they’ve always wanted? A surprise where that third person must never know how this happened, but that’s okay because you and your co-conspirator can celebrate together?

That’s what Jesus is inviting, that kind of relationship with the Father. Work with the Father in your giving. The people you are helping? Do your best to not let them know. Do your best to not let the press know, to not brag about it, even quietly to a few close friends. In fact, Jesus says, don’t even let your hands talk to each other.

But know that the Father knows. Know that you can share a laugh, a knowing wink, with Him.