Take heed that you give not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise you have no reward of your Father who is in heaven.
All Commentaries on Matthew 6:1 Go To Matthew 6
Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
Prosper. Lib. Sentent. 318: How great strength the love of human glory has, none feels, but he who has proclaimed war against it. For though it is easy for any not to wish for praise when it is denied him, it is difficult not to be pleased with it when it is offered.
Serm. 54. 2: He says this, “that ye be seen of men,” because there are some whoso do their righteousness before men that themselves may not be seen, but that the works themselves may be seen, and their Father who is in heaven may be glorified; for they reckon not their own righteousness, but His, in the faith of whom they live.
Serm. in Mont.: That He adds, “Otherwise ye shall not have your reward before your Father who is in heaven,” signifies no more than that we ought to take heed that we seek not praise of men in reward of our words.
