"Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven."
Matthew 6:1
Recommended Reading
Mark 12:41-44
One of the ways that colleges, universities, hospitals, museums, and other public institutions encourage wealthy individuals to make substantial financial gifts is to offer to name a building (or some part of the institution) after the donor. Not all donors give in order to be remembered for posterity; indeed, some choose to give anonymously. Each person must weigh his own reasons for giving.
Jesus had sharp words for wealthy Pharisees in Jerusalem who gave alms to the needy in order to reap praise for themselves. Matthew 6:2 ("do not sound a trumpet") refers to an unknown practice by which they called attention to themselves--possibly the trumpets that preceded almsgiving at times of fasting and prayer. Regardless, Jesus said this: "There are two kinds of rewards for good works--the rewards of the praise of men and the rewards of
the praise of God. And we are free to choose our reward."
If you act so as to receive the praise of men, you've already received your reward. But if you act in secret, you will receive God's reward in due course.
The manner of giving shows the character of the giver, more than the gift itself.
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