King James Bible
"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven."
Jesus warns against performing acts of charity in public settings where others can observe. 'Alms' refers to charitable giving to the poor, a fundamental Jewish religious duty that some had turned into a display of piety. This phrase identifies the corrupting motive—seeking human recognition rather than serving God. The Greek implies theatrical performance, suggesting these acts had become more about reputation than compassion. Jesus establishes a spiritual economy where earthly applause cancels heavenly reward. The phrase emphasizes that God sees and values secret devotion, contrasting divine approval with the fleeting praise of human audiences.