Spiritual Work in Secret

General Message of the Lecture

This lecture explains the concept of spiritual work in secret as taught by the Lord Jesus Christ. It clarifies that there is no contradiction between doing virtue in secret and allowing good works to be seen when the goal is the glory of God, not self-glory. The true measure is the intention: do we act so that people may see us, or out of love and obedience to God?

 First: Secrecy Applies to Personal, Not Communal Work

• Working in secret refers to personal spiritual practices, such as private prayer and personal charity.
• This does not cancel communal worship, as church prayers and sacraments are practiced openly.
• From the apostolic era, the Church gathered to pray “with one accord.”

 Second: Charity in Secret and Its Spiritual Meaning

• Charity is not forbidden to be public in all cases; there are general donations and shared church projects.
• The mistake is when giving is done so that people may see and praise us.
• Christ said: “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,” meaning do not count, boast, or speak about what you give.
• Focus should be on the needy person, not on oneself, because publicizing giving can wound human dignity.

 Third: True Reward and the Glory of God

• Whoever works to be seen by people receives his reward on earth only.
• Whoever works in secret is rewarded openly by God who sees in secret.
• Everything we give is originally from God; we are merely stewards.
• Hidden work glorifies God, because the needy person sees God’s hand, not man’s.

 Fourth: Prayer in Secret and Its Proper Understanding

• Prayer is an honor and a gift, not a means for seeking glory or reward.
• “Enter your closet and shut your door” means closing the door of thoughts and senses to distraction.
• Hiding prayer out of fear is a sin, because prayer is sometimes a declaration of faith.
• What is required is prayer with warmth and reverence, not vain repetition without heart.

 Fifth: The Spiritual Essence

• True spiritual work flows from love, not from seeking reward.
• Joy in giving is the joy of making others happy and glorifying God.
• What remains for a person in eternity is not what he possessed, but what he gave with love.

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