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Divine Imperatives October 2 Devotional

by David Joynt on October 02, 2023


MATTHEW 6:3 | 3 But when you give, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

What does this somewhat mysterious phrase mean? Jesus first forbids public displays of generosity which are made to foster general acclaim. Then He suggests that we shouldn’t congratulate ourselves either! Our giving should focus on the recipient and the need and the issue from gratitude that God has blessed us with the opportunity to bless others. We shouldn't be too conscious or too impressed by our own giving. We should be free from the need to impress anyone—even ourselves.

How much do you fight with your own ego?

 

Gracious God,

Order my soul. Let me have the clarity to will one thing, Your will, and seek to impress only You.

Amen.

 

About the Author
David Joynt

Dave Joynt began his service as a pastor at Valley Presbyterian Church in Paradise Valley, Arizona in September 2014. This meant a move away from the Northeast, where he has a long history, growing up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and then serving congregations in Delaware and New Jersey for a total of 23 years.

Dave was nurtured in a great church in Bethlehem where his parents, Anne and Carey, served as elders. He graduated in classics from Lehigh University where his Father taught, and then from Oxford, where he met his wife Julia. Ordained in 1988, he completed a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1993.

He and Julia have a son, Tristan, and a daughter, Madeleine.

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