Matthew 6:1,2-4

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 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. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Note: These verses continue to elaborate on Matthew 5:20 regarding righteousness that “exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees”.

Similar Old Testament Verses

Bring no more vain offerings…

Isaiah 1:13

Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.

Proverbs 21:4

The haughty looks of man shall be brought low,
and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled,
and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

Isaiah 2:11

And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men…”

Isaiah 29:13

I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.

Amos 5:21

You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

Psalm 90:8

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

Proverbs 15:3

For my eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from me, nor is their iniquity concealed from my eyes.

Jeremiah 16:17

… then hear from heaven your dwelling place and forgive and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways, for you, you only, know the hearts of the children of mankind…

2 Chronicles 6:30

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.

Proverbs 19:17

For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’

Deuteronomy 15:11

Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,
for he shares his bread with the poor.

Proverbs 22:9

Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it.

Ezekiel 16:49-50

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.