Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 6:3-4

"But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee." — Matthew 6:3-4 (ASV)

Let not your left hand know, etc. This is a proverbial expression, signifying that the action should be done as secretly as possible. The Hebrews often attribute actions to members which properly belong to persons.

The encouragement for doing this is that it will be pleasing to God; He will see the act, however secret it may be, and will openly reward it. If the reward is not greater in this life, it will be in the life to come.

In many cases, however, alms given to the poor are lent to the Lord, (Proverbs 19:17) and will be repaid in this life. Rarely, perhaps never, has it been found that the man who is liberal to the poor has ever suffered by it in his worldly circumstances.