Jesus assumes that His disciples will give to those in need. His teaching in Matthew 6 addresses how such giving is practiced rather than questioning whether it should occur.
Jesus in Context
Almsgiving in Jewish Religious Life
Giving to the poor was an established expression of Jewish piety; Jesus addresses the motive and publicity surrounding the act.
Introduction
Historical and Cultural Context
Almsgiving occupied an important place in Jewish religious life and could appear alongside prayer and fasting as an expression of devotion. Jesus' warning against sounding a trumpet should be treated cautiously as vivid language for advertising generosity rather than evidence that donors routinely employed literal trumpeters.
Why It Matters
The background clarifies Jesus' emphasis: the problem is not almsgiving itself but performing generosity in order to obtain public recognition.