I was just thinking this morning of the verses that talk of giving secretly. I wonder if it does negate the charity if people mention what they've done at all, or if it's just when they mention it to receive praise, or gain a higher opinion in man's eyes. I would hope that it's the latter case, and that it isn't a ritualistic secrecy needed. And men of God will often agree with God when it comes to giving approval, so it isn't like we have to choose between having God's approval and everyone else's sneers. I would think the gist of God's words here is that He wants us to seek His approval above all, and in the meantime it's natural to hope others on Earth will look on us favorably, too. But when the crisis comes, we have to choose to please God, and let man scorn us.
-christine long