The Secret Giver
Photo by Kristina Flour on Unsplash
Do you know the TV programme ‘Deal or no Deal’? The game show started in 2006 and was hosted by Noel Edmunds until 2016, and now Stephen Mulhern is at the helm.
The contestant randomly selects 1 of 22 boxes, each containing a cash amount ranging from 1p to £100,000. Winning is pure luck! There is also the banker, on the end of the phone, who, at certain points tries to make a deal (or no deal) with the player!
I recently heard the story of how one contestant said that she was hoping to win £15,000 in order to pay for her IVF treatment. Unfortunately, that did not happen.
After the show aired, one keen viewer called the production company and offered to give the full amount of money to the woman but wanted to do it anonymously. That person was George Michael.
This story came to light after the singer’s death, which was on Christmas Day 2016. Other similar stories have also been revealed as to how generous the late singer-songwriter was.
I love the secrecy of the giving. There is something in the Bible about this, Jesus said…
“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. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Jesus said that giving to the poor was important, and the assumption was that his listeners were already doing it!
But what Jesus went on to say was profound, when you give, do it in secret! Back in Jesus’ time, some people would draw a lot of attention to themselves when they gave money, as it was often in a public space.
In other words, they liked to be seen giving. If they were around today, they may well take a selfie and post it on social media!
What Jesus taught was counter-cultural then and still is today. Giving money to help and support poor people is a good thing, but how it’s done is also important. Jesus said God the Father sees, and He will reward those who give secretly.
George Michael was a secret giver. What about you?
God bless you :)
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader