Hymns by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

Don't Show Off Your Giving
ASH GROVE (6.6.11.6.6.11 D) ("Let All Things Now Living")

Don't show off your giving — the good you are doing —
But quietly give without public display.
Let prayer be in secret, your spirit renewing.
Don't heap empty phrases, but pray then this way:
"Our Father in heaven, may your name be holy.
We pray for your kingdom and our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we, too, pardon freely.
Protect us from troubles and evils we dread."

Whenever you're fasting, don't show off to others
In hopes that your neighbors will speak well of you.
Don't brag of your faith to your sisters and brothers,
For it is enough that God sees what you do.
Don't hoard earthly treasure or trust your possessions;
They rust and are stolen; you'll have them no more!
Instead seek God's kingdom — its worth never lessens —
And find your heart's treasure in things that endure.

The eye is a lamp and we need it for seeing,
So be like that lamp and let God's light shine through.
You can't serve two masters with all of your being,
So choose God or money! Which one will rule you?
And so, too, I tell you to put away worry
Of what you'll consume or the clothes that you'll wear.
God cares for the birds and gives flowers their glory,
So trust God for shelter and safety and care.

Biblical Reference: Matthew 6
Tune: Traditional Welsh melody; harmony by Gerald Hocken Knight ("Let All Things Now Living")
Text: Copyright © 2011 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Email: bcgillette@comcast.net     New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com/

This hymn is part of "The Sermon on the Mount: A Worship Service of Lessons and Songs" by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette that is patterned after the "Service of Lessons and Carols for Christmas." The new service is based on Jesus' teachings in Matthew 5-7 interspersed with stanzas of four new hymns based on these teachings.

This service and a complete list of Carolyn's 160+ hymns can be found at www.carolynshymns.com.

See Stewardship Hymns for a list of other helpful hymns with stewardship themes.

 

Ash Wednesday Hymns