Matthew Henry Commentary Matthew 6:1-4

"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. When therefore thou doest alms, sound not 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 received their reward. 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 6:1-4 (ASV)

Our Lord next warned against hypocrisy and outward show in religious duties. What we do must be done from an inward principle, so that we may be approved by God, not so that we may be praised by men. In these verses, we are cautioned against hypocrisy in giving alms. Beware of it.

It is a subtle sin, and vainglory creeps into what we do before we are aware. But the duty is no less necessary and excellent for being abused by hypocrites to serve their pride. The judgment Christ pronounces, at first may seem a promise, but it is their reward—not the reward God promises to those who do good, but the reward hypocrites promise themselves, and a poor reward it is. They did it to be seen of men, and they are seen of men.

When we take least notice of our good deeds ourselves, God takes most notice of them. He will reward you: not as a master who gives his servant what he earns and no more, but as a Father who gives abundantly to his son who serves him.