LDS Freedom Forum

Apparently church members really enjoy the "Giving Machine". So much so that they take a picture of themselves and what they "gave" and then they post it on social media for all their friends to see. My dear wife says this pattern is quite the rage in our community since the "Giving Machine" came to town.

I don't know whether to laugh at the silly things humans do or cry at the spiritual weakness of the saints.

What I am about to say is not about condemning others. I am first in line of sinful people. But the "Giving Machine" and the Social Media push surrounding it are in direct contradiction to what Jesus taught. Well, not exactly, Jesus said you can give to others and toot your own horn about it. But if you want your actions to be blessed by God then you need to give quietly and without publicity.

"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. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly."

It's all about rizz and clout, from what I've been told by my children. Which makes me realize, parents spend so much time raising a child and have so little impact on them compared to popular culture.

This is an automatic translation.
I interpret this as follows.
I forsake my heavenly reward and show my actions to the people of this world.
This behavior will have a positive impact on others.
This positive influence includes others wanting to imitate them, or wanting to understand those who serve differently than they do.