GIFT FROM AN ANONYMOUS DONOR
At Valentine’s Day, we think about expressing our affection for others, and perhaps to that one special someone. Some people might even receive something from a secret admirer. But one person took anonymous philanthropic giving to a new level in 2018. This person, identified only as “Pine,” had made a fortune in bitcoin and decided he or she had more money than could ever be spent, so Pine started giving million-dollar gifts to non-profit organizations in the health sector. Over the course of a few months, this anonymous donor gave away over $55 million. To this day, the person’s identity is unknown to those who received the gifts.
GIFT FROM AN ANONYMOUS GIVER
In Jesus’ day, the priests and Pharisees were hardly anonymous in their giving. They called attention to their supposedly pious acts, all but begging for applause and glory. Jesus taught His disciples to seek the favor of God rather than of people. By letting their giving be between themselves and God and not for show, they would obtain reward from God, a reward that would last. This was far better than receiving fleeting honor among people and nothing at all from God.
Questions
- What’s your favorite Valentine memory?
- Have you ever had (or been) a secret admirer? What was that like?
- Why does God dislike good works when they are showy?
