Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean
Prax, I know clearly your point, but we just cant get away from the teaching of giving by the Lord about "secret" giving. Jesus introduced this "idea" of his to MAKE SURE giving does not turn into what you describe.
Why didnt he just say..."watch your attitude when you give"?
Notice that the rich in Acts that brought lands, went into a room and gave them secretly...case in point, Annanias and Saffirah....they just went into a private room to see Peter, thinking that they were going through the routine of giving to the Apostle when they were confronted about their sin
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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.
Remember the widow women who threw in her last dollar? Jesus and the Apostles all saw it.
I can give without letting anyone know the amount. It's still a secret.
If we take what you are claiming it means, then there can never be public prayer. We have to pray all alone...in secret
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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