Shhh... I Know the Secret

“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:3-4

I know the secret to transformational and abundant living. On occasion I enjoy watching a program called “Secret Millionaire”. In the show a millionaire leaves behind the trappings of their lives and go undercover in an underprivileged community - usually an inner city environment - with a the back story that they are making a documentary about volunteerism. For a week they live in the community and they live on what the average person in the community lives on. Their challenge is to find organizations that are making a real difference in the community they serve. The secret millionaire volunteers and at the end of the show gives large gifts to the organizations they feel are making the biggest difference.

But the show is not really about the money. The show is about bringing attention to the needs of the people living in these American communities and the organizations that are working hard to meet those needs while staying out of the spotlight and about how transforming being a part of those organizations can be. 

The Old Testament prophet Micah tells his audience that what God really wants from His people is not the blood of animals, but people who “act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with him” (Micah 6:8). That is what can be seen in the founders and volunteers featured on this program.

So what secrets to transformational and abundant living can be gleaned from this show? First, little things can make a major difference in the life of someone else. Second, extending your heart to someone who is in need, whether it is physical, emotional, financial or spiritual will change your heart perhaps more than theirs and lastly you don’t have to be a millionaire to make a difference with your finances, but if you are and you give it away - you will receive more than you ever expected in return. 

This is what it means to act justly and love mercy, this is what allows your faith to grow, this is the inside-out transformation that Jesus came to bring us, and this is what the abundant life of the kingdom of heaven looks like.

A Prayer
Father, thank you that sometimes we can learn important lesson about kingdom living from the media. Thank you that no matter what our station in life, no matter what our finances we can make a difference in someone else’s life. Show us Lord where we can make a difference today and every day. In the name of Jesus, who can to give us a transformed and abundant life, Amen