The servants who had drawn the water knew. — John 2:9
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read the story of Jesus at his mother’s insistence turning water into wine at a wedding.
However, I never focused on the fact that no-one knew what he had done, only the servants knew. I don’t know about you but if I had given a wedding gift of over one hundred gallons of very good wine I might want a few attaboys. By the way, do you wonder what the bridegroom did with the leftovers?
Back to the story. These stories about Jesus give us a glimmer into the nature of God. God isn’t about taking credit, in fact look at what Christ said at the Sermon on the Mount: beware of practicing your piety, when you give alms do not sound the trumpet, and pray to God in secret. Matthew 6:1-8.
Don’t worry, I’m not about to go about meddling with fundraising efforts. If someone wants to give a million dollars to a church or university and have the education center named after him/her or a loved one, good for them. I applaud their generosity of heart and encourage them to give until it hurts. In fact, Jesus says that the public givers and prayers “have received their reward.” What Jesus points out is that we should consider our motive in giving and praying. It is something to consider in how we walk and act every day. Do only those who must know, know or am doing what I do only to seek praise? It’s a question to ask in all facets of life.
Jesus chose not to tell anyone what he had done, although I hope he had a nice glass of wine out of the deal, but he paints us a picture of how to act.
By the way, I’ve never made a gift of money to a charity, school, or individual, regardless of motive, I’ve regretted. My only regrets are not have given more.
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