The answer is: In secret

Matt 6:1-18 - Not like the Pharisees who made sure everyone knew what good works they were doing

In Matthew 6:1-18, we’re hit with a refreshing reminder about the heart behind charity, prayer, and fasting: the best practices are done in secret! Imagine this—you decide to help a neighbor out, but instead of blasting it all over social media, you simply drop off some groceries and leave them a note. The essence of doing good deeds quietly is about humility and intention, much like the character of someone whose primary goal is to give, not to garner applause.

Matthew juxtaposes this thoughtful approach with the Pharisees, who loved being seen as righteous. It feels timely, doesn’t it? We live in a culture where sharing our virtues online often overshadows actually living them out. With this chapter’s emphasis on privacy in our good deeds, it's an invitation to step back from the limelight.

Interestingly, Jesus connected charitable actions not just as a list of 'to-dos', but purely as a lifestyle consistently flavored by inner devotion. Fasting, like prayers, turns us inward—it reminds us of our spiritual hunger for a deeper connection.

Echoing back, the roots of this secretive service align brilliantly with traditions of humility found throughout ancient texts, emphasizing that a quiet heart resonates deeper than a loud trumpet. So, when we conduct our good works in secret, we cultivate an authentic relationship with the divine without the need for external validation. Isn’t that what sincere living should be about?