Joseph was a good man. He was helping out the church in his day. He sold a field that he owned and brought in the money so the mission of the church could continue. We don't know how much money he gave. We don't know what percentage of his income or holdings his gift comprised. We do know, though, that his gift helped keep God's mission going and that it was generous. We also know that his gift was public enough that everyone else knew about the gift and the story made it into Scripture.
Joseph isn't a bad person for making his gift known. After all, he is nicknamed "son of encouragement." It just gives Satan the opportunity to create jealousy with other believers in the church. This is why it is a better practice to give our gifts in secret. This way we are participating in the Body of Christ, furthering God's mission, and not giving the enemy a foothold. He can't tempt someone to jealousy when that person doesn't even know the gift was given. Plus, Jesus says that secret giving is the best way, too.
"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 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 6:1-4 NIV)
How about you? Do you give to God's mission? Do you give generously? Do you give in secret?
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