Matthew 6:1 Meaning: When Is Giving Before Others Wrong?
“Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
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.
Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them: else ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
`Take heed your kindness not to do before men, to be seen by them, and if not--reward ye have not from your Father who is in the heavens;
Take heed not to do your alms before men to be seen of them, otherwise ye have no reward with your Father who is in the heavens.
Meaning in one sentence
Jesus warns against performing righteous acts only to be seen by people. This verse is about the heart's motive, not whether the act is public.
Context
Jesus is in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount. He has just finished teaching about anger, lust, and revenge. Now He turns to the inner life of faith: giving, praying, and fasting. Verse 1 opens this section with a broad warning. The Greek word many early manuscripts preserve is not “alms” but “righteousness”, a term that covers every good deed we do for God. Jesus is not introducing a new rule. He is exposing a danger that lurks in every religious act: the desire to be seen and praised by others. The verses that follow will give three examples of what this looks like.
Key Words
The Greek word behind righteousness here is dikaiosunē. It means the state of being right with God, everything from giving to the poor to praying and fasting. Jesus broadens the warning beyond just money. The verb translated to be seen is theathēnai, the same root as “theatre.” It pictures someone putting on a show for an audience. And the word for reward is misthos, wages you earn. But the preposition para (“with”) means the reward is reserved by the Father’s side, not handed out in public. Your motive changes what you receive. If you work for human applause, that is your full pay. If you work for the Father who sees in secret, your reward waits with Him.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions agree that motive matters more than visibility. Reformers like Calvin warned that ambition can corrupt even the best works. Catholic moral theology speaks of “purity of intention”, doing good for God alone. Wesleyan commentators emphasize that the Father sees the heart and rewards sincerity. Some note the textual variation between “alms” and “righteousness.” If the original was “righteousness,” this verse becomes a heading for the whole section on giving, prayer, and fasting. Either way, the point stands: the danger is not being seen, but performing for eyes that cannot save.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think Jesus forbids all public acts of kindness. That would contradict His own words in Matthew 5:16 about letting your light shine. In fact, He condemns the motive of being seen and praised. As Barnes explains, Jesus does not require us never to give before people, but only forbids doing it to be seen of them. You can serve publicly as long as your heart is set on pleasing God, not collecting compliments.
Living This Out
This week, before you help someone, pause and ask yourself one question: Who do I want to notice this? That moment of honesty can reveal a lot. Try doing one good thing that no one will ever know: an anonymous gift, a kind note left where only the recipient will find it. Let that secret act train your heart to seek the Father’s approval above all. The One who sees in secret sees you.
Main takeaway: Your Father in heaven sees every righteous act done for Him alone, and His reward is far greater than any human praise.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
When you help someone, do it because you love them, not to show off. God sees even when nobody else does.
For ages 9, 12
Jesus warns against doing good things just to get attention. The reward that matters most comes from the Father, who sees what no one else sees. This doesn’t mean you can never be seen doing good, your motive is what counts. Ask yourself: am I doing this to help others and honor God, or to get people to praise me?
Questions People Ask
What does 'alms' mean in this verse?
Alms are gifts of money or goods to the poor. But many early Greek manuscripts use the word 'righteousness' instead, which covers all good deeds. The two ideas were closely connected in Jewish thought because helping the poor was seen as an act of righteousness.
Does Matthew 6:1 mean I should never let anyone see me give or serve?
No. Jesus is not forbidding public acts, He is forbidding acts done for the purpose of being seen and praised. The same Gospel records Jesus saying, 'Let your light shine before others' (Matthew 5:16). It is the motive, not the visibility, that matters.
Why do some translations say 'righteousness' instead of 'alms'?
The best ancient Greek manuscripts have the word 'dikaiosynēn,' meaning righteousness. Later copyists may have changed it to 'alms' (eleēmosynēn) because that is the specific example Jesus gives in verse 2. Many scholars see 'righteousness' as the original reading, making this verse a general heading for the next three examples.
What is the reward Jesus mentions here?
The reward is not material payment. It is the approval and blessing of the Father, something far greater than human praise. Jesus says that if you do good only to be seen, you already have your reward in full (the praise of people). But the Father rewards those who seek His approval in secret.
How does this apply to posting about charity on social media?
Social media makes it easy to share good deeds. The question is your heart. If you post to inspire others to give or to thank God, that can be fine. But if you post so people will think well of you, Jesus’ warning applies. Check your motive honestly before you hit share.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study