It’s time to pull the curtain

"Be careful!"

That's the caution from Jesus, for people who are part of the Kingdom of God and eager to assist others in becoming part of that eternal family. "Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them."

• When you give to the needy don't announce it with trumpets.
• When you pray don't stand on the street corners to be seen; and don't babble.

Sometimes, in our enthusiasm for sharing what we have with someone else, we can call undue attention to ourselves. Being glad for the chance to share is a good thing; but searching the donor lists for our name under one of the highest categories is not a good thing, nor is swinging the spotlight on our generous selves. And sometimes in the fervency of praying we can capture the attention of those around us, some of whom are impressed, some distracted, and some disgusted. The words of Jesus are the best. "Be careful." Be sure that the focus is on God, and that the blessing lands on the ones that we want to encourage and serve.

We're acquainted with the things that Jesus goes on to say in this part of the Sermon on the Mount. The best place to pray is my closet. The best way to give is to do it so discretely that I hardly know myself that I am doing it (my right hand doesn't know what my left hand is doing). No trumpets! No bouquets! No offering "the finest prayer ever prayed to a Boston congregation!" I could give the names of people who give like that and pray like that. But that would violate their commitment to "do it right." It is enough to know that "your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward (you)."