This spiritual teaching addresses the importance of having spiritual work that comes from the heart and is done in secret, Far from false glory and the praise of others, focusing instead on purity of intention before God.
❤️ Spiritual Work in Secret
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III emphasizes that prayer, fasting, and charity are inner spiritual acts between a person and God, not a means to appear before people. The true goal is to please God, not to gain admiration from others.
🧠 Purity of Heart is Essential
He explains that sin begins in the heart before appearing in action, and likewise virtue begins internally. Therefore, God desires purity of heart, because the inside is the source of every outward behavior.
⚖️ Distinction Between Individual and Collective Work
He differentiates between individual worship, which should be in secret, and collective worship such as church prayers and public donations, which are not considered wrong if done openly.
🎯 Intention is More Important Than Appearance
The issue is not that people see the good deed, but that the intention is for them to see it. Vain glory corrupts spiritual work and removes its value before God.
🤲 Charity with Love
Charity should be given out of compassion and love, not in expectation of reward. True joy is in making others happy, not in glorifying oneself.
🔒 Spiritual Secrecy
He encourages hiding good deeds even from oneself, by not thinking about them or speaking of them, but completely forgetting them, so they remain pure before God.
💰 Concept of Ownership and Giving
He confirms that the money given to the poor is their right, not a favor from the person, so one should not boast about it or expect something in return.
🌿 Divine Reward
God sees everything in secret and rewards openly, whether in eternal life or even on earth, where He blesses giving and increases الخير.
“For better translation support, please contact the center.”
The Sermon on the Mount – Spiritual Work in Secret – Almsgiving
This spiritual teaching addresses the importance of having spiritual work that comes from the heart and is done in secret, Far from false glory and the praise of others, focusing instead on purity of intention before God.
❤️ Spiritual Work in Secret
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III emphasizes that prayer, fasting, and charity are inner spiritual acts between a person and God, not a means to appear before people. The true goal is to please God, not to gain admiration from others.
🧠 Purity of Heart is Essential
He explains that sin begins in the heart before appearing in action, and likewise virtue begins internally. Therefore, God desires purity of heart, because the inside is the source of every outward behavior.
⚖️ Distinction Between Individual and Collective Work
He differentiates between individual worship, which should be in secret, and collective worship such as church prayers and public donations, which are not considered wrong if done openly.
🎯 Intention is More Important Than Appearance
The issue is not that people see the good deed, but that the intention is for them to see it. Vain glory corrupts spiritual work and removes its value before God.
🤲 Charity with Love
Charity should be given out of compassion and love, not in expectation of reward. True joy is in making others happy, not in glorifying oneself.
🔒 Spiritual Secrecy
He encourages hiding good deeds even from oneself, by not thinking about them or speaking of them, but completely forgetting them, so they remain pure before God.
💰 Concept of Ownership and Giving
He confirms that the money given to the poor is their right, not a favor from the person, so one should not boast about it or expect something in return.
🌿 Divine Reward
God sees everything in secret and rewards openly, whether in eternal life or even on earth, where He blesses giving and increases الخير.
“For better translation support, please contact the center.”