Trump would be in “trouble” if he bragged about how much he gave. Anybody can see anybody dropping some bucks in a basket...it doesn’t necessarily violate the “give in secret rule”. Also the “don’t let the left know what the right hand is doing” principle is to not let yourself have any second thoughts about what you first purposed to give. If your first impulse is to give 100 bucks, don’t change your mind and give 50.
You are absolutely right. What Jesus was speaking against were those that put many coins into the metal receptacle when they gave. They did it for recognition, not because of a giving heart. The more coins the greater gift (some thought). The size of the coin didnt matter, as they wanted people to know they were giving. It has a few similarities with the story of Ananias and Saphira, who wanted people to believe they were giving all, and told them that, but selfishly retained some for themselves. Was it wrong not to give everything? No. It was wrong to say you had given everything with a lie.
Trump did no wrong giving what he had purposed. In fact, if you look at the video, he carefully measures what he would give, and he was prepared to do it. Others were not visible doing that. He did not draw attention to his act. POTUS did no wrong in this. If he was not the most examined/observed man on the planet, we would never see this. Frankly, I think it is a good teaching point of proper conduct.
I am even more encouraged that he had twenty dollar bills; can you imagine the buzz if hed used $100s? I am impressed that he had enough forethought (purpose) to know he was going to a worship ceremony and that an offering would be made.
Thank you for your post.
Gwjack