Sometimes you have to read the context, understand the figures of speech and see the message rather than isolate one verse out of context and go by that
Now, Acts says nothing about an empty room where nobody can see them
It says they laid the stuff at the Apostles feet
Act 4:33 With great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on them all.
Act 4:34 For there was no one needy among them, because those who were owners of land or houses were selling them and bringing the proceeds from the sales
Act 4:35 and placing them at the apostles' feet. The proceeds were distributed to each, as anyone had need.
Prax, The Apostles feet, not the whole congregation...
Remember the widow women who threw in her last dollar? Jesus and the Apostles all saw it.
Prax, this was in the Jewish temple, under the Law. Not in the early church...
I can give without letting anyone know the amount. It's still a secret.
Its not a secret when your brother sees you "march" up to the altar or put your money in a basket...You are part of the "intimidation to give" process...
If we take what you are claiming it means, then there can never be public prayer. We have to pray all alone...in secret
Not at all, Jesus wants us to PRAY in a secret place, first and foremost. However, we see collective prayer in the early church, but we have no evidence of offerings done in a congregational setting. That is a "modern" method, and contrary to the model of giving set by Jesus and the Apostles in the early church.
Mat 6:5 "Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward.
Mat 6:6 But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.
Jesus was addressing an attitude. We see Public prayer many times. Even Jesus did not always pray alone
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