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GIFTS. "Be careful not to make a show of your religion before men; if you do, no reward awaits you in your Father's house in heaven. Thus, when you do some act of charity, do not announce it with a flourish of trumpets, as the hypocrites do in synagogue and in the streets to win admiration from men. I tell you this: they have their reward already. No; when you do some act of charity, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing; your good deed must be secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." (Matt 6:1-4 NEB). "A gift from a fool will bring you no benefit; it looks bigger to him than it does to you. He gives small gifts accompanied by long lectures, and opens his mouth as wide as the town crier." (Eccus 20:14,15 NEB). "Like clouds and wind that bring no rain is the man who boasts of gifts he never gives." (Prov 25:14 NEB). "Each person should give as he has decided for himself; there should be no reluctance, no sense of compulsion; God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Cor 9:7 NEB). "Contribute to the needs of God's people, and practise hospitality." (1) (Rom 12:13 NEB). "Never cease to love your fellow-Christians. Remember to show hospitality. There are some who, by so doing, have entertained angels without knowing it." (Heb 13:1,2 NEB). "Happiness lies more in giving than in receiving." (From Acts 20:35 NEB).
(1) HOSPITABLE: Open and generous in
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