Scripture Reading(s)
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
6:1 “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
6:2 “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.
6:3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
6:4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
6:5 “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.
6:6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
6:16 “And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.
6:17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,
6:18 so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal;
6:20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.
6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Reflections
Living the Christian life is meant to be exemplified in a humble and joyful way. This passage is not instructing us to avoid standing out, it is telling us to avoid giving ourselves the glory. There is a difference between being passionate about living for God and doing it to gain attention and mans praise.
This passage targets four key areas of the Christian life that we are instructed to live out humbly and with the aim of Glorifying God alone.
- Our Piety (vs 1): Our outward devotion to God whether it be in worship or prayer should not be practiced in a way that will take shift the focus onto ourselves and not God. It could mean how we lift up our hands during a worship service or vocalizing our praise by saying “amen” during a sermon. None of these things are bad, however we need to carefully examine our hearts and motives for doing such things. The aim is to glorify God.
- Giving Alms(vs 2-4): There are those who genuinely do have generous and loving hearts when it comes to giving to the church and others. However, our hearts are to be lined up with an attitude of humility and love. If those two things are what drive us to give then our God will most definitely be honored. Just like the woman who gave her last remaining money to the temple out of a genuine love for God, so should we do the same when we desire to give to others.
- Prayer Life (5-6): These verses are so clear. Our prayers are a reflection of what is in our hearts. It is a picture of our faith and trust in God’s goodness in our lives. When we present our requests to God it is a sign that we love and trust Him. Those things indicate that the attention is not on ourselves but on what can do through our prayers.
- Fasting (vs 16-20): Fasting is a time to think and reflect on what God has done for you. It is a time to remember the needs of those around us and how many things in our lives that maybe have taken place of our love for God. Let us always strive to make God our first love, making Him our treasure.
Throughout this passage Jesus is making a serious point; your good works and religion are worthless if your heart is not right. In light of this fact, do not be expecting a pat on the back from God. I believe any parent can relate with this sentiment. When I was a child my mother did not just want me to be obedient, she wanted me to be obedient with the right attitude.
On a more positive note, Jesus also notes that those who DO behave in humility and love will be rewarded in heaven. Like any good father, God wants to reward and bless His children when they are behaving appropriately.
It is important also to recall that we should want to act in obedience to the Lord in both deed and heart. Recall that God spoke to the church in Laodicean,
So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. (Revelation 3:16)