“When you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do . . . so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” Matthew 6:2-3 NASB For many living in ancient Rome, recognition was a primary goal. In his book about Julius Caesar’s extended family, historian Tom Holland describes how praise was craved by Romans at every level. It wasn’t enough to do something noteworthy. Romans needed to be honored. The names of those who had done significant things “were inscribed everywhere in Rome: on the pedestals of statutes, on monuments in the Forum, on publicly displayed lists of consuls and priests.” Victorious generals expected public celebrations and parades. This focus on attention went back to the foundation of the city. Summarizing this pattern, Holland writes, “The surest punishment was not death but to be consigned to ob...
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