How do you do good without your left hand knowing what your right hand is doing?

Question

Matthew 6:1-4 - http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/6/1-4#1

This scripture has always been an enigma to me. We are supposed to serve others gladly, without even acknowledging to OURSELVES what we are doing (ie giving glory only to God).

It just came to me today, that this scripture is referring to having an attitude where love and service are so completely integrated into your being that you don't even thing twice about lending a hand... it just happens spontaneously (I guess that comes with practice).

When people say "Thank you" to you, you really feel that you have done nothing at all... and the praise aught to go to the One who has given you the heart that loves, the mind that comprehends, the energy with which to act, and possessions with which to make a difference in the lives of other people.

Is this what Jesus was talking about?
What is your perspective on this scripture?
How have you tried to implement this scripture in your life?

I love that I've been given answers from the perspectives of a few different faiths, yet they are all valuable perspectives to add to my own. Thank you for letting me know how you perceive these things.

Answer 1

dontt remember which yoga it is [karma]or [back-ti] but one of them is EGO LESS ACTION,to do good deeds with out reward

you do get some personal pay back,so its best to be a [good person] in any case

Answer 2

You and guitarpick both have the right idea. This is one of the passages that are more symbolic than literal. Obviously we can't split ourselves so that one half does something the other half doesn't know about. So it is talking about having to think about what we are doing and finding some motive or reason for doing something good. If we need an alterior motive for doing good, then we are not in the right frame of mind. We should do good because we instinctively know that is what we should do rather than having to think about it. Many years ago, I was driving south on highway 101 leaving San Jose when I came across a young, well dressed woman slamming her car door and walking away in obvious displeasure. Clearly, she was having car troubles and needed some assistance. I did not stop, even though it was clear to me that I should have. I was in a hurry to get home. I have regretted my actions that day ever since. I was not the good samaritan that day. However, even if I had stopped, it might not have been right because I would have been doing so after debating with myself whether or not I should. Thus, I would have been weighing the pros and cons about stopping.
I made up for it some years later when I was going home in Winnemucca, NV and came across a car off on the shoulder of the road, perpendicular to the road. I immediately stopped knowing that something was not right with that picture. It turned out to be a Taiwanese national living in San Francisco and having traveled to Kansas for a sisters wedding was trying to get back home. With the help of some friends we put him up in a hotel, got a mechanic to open on a holiday to fix his car and get him back on his way. Later, he sent us a letter thanking us for our assistance. That was the right thing to do because without hesitation we helped a person in need without thinking about how or what. We just did it.
Those are two examples that I think can illustrate what this is all about.

Answer 3

That scriptural verse refers to doing good for others without advertising and bragging about it--setting one's self up to a level of, "look at me, aren't I doing good?"

Many organizations, including the LDS Church, serve by "doing alms, but in private." They don't stand in public gloating over their good works, but go and do what is needful for those in need, reaching out to victims of hurricanes, tsunamies, earthquakes, and devastating fires.

What you are talking about in your narrative is charity, which is the pure love of Christ. When we can serve without a thought for ourselves, but put our neighbor or even our enemy in a good light to receive of us by helping in some way becomes the true meaning of charity. Serving others in the pure love of Christ is exactly what the Savior meant for us to do as He showed by example while in mortality.

You are certainly on the right track in your interpretation of doing for others--that which is charity, the pure love of Christ.

Answer 4

good angle, I had not thought about it like that. I generally thought of this scripture as not seeking the praise of man, including yourself when you act charitably

Answer 5

Don't go around Telling People what you did or Bragging About it.
Dit===================to!
GOD Knows what your Doing!

Answer 6

Simple. When you do good to others keep it to yourselves, meaning don't advertise it by telling somebody or putting your name. The bible clearly says "don't let thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth"

Answer 7

All praise belongs to Allah (God).

And they feed, for love of Him, the poor, the orphan and the prisoner;

Assuring them: 'We feed you to win God's pleasure only. We desire no reward nor thanks from you.

Answer 8

It's this kind of twisted illogical thinking that made me an atheist.

Answer 9

"Out beyond the concepts of good and bad, there is a field, will you meet me there"?

Answer 10

I would say you've answer the question yourself.