*Matthew 6:1-18
Jesus teaches that giving to the needy, praying, and fasting should be done with sincerity to avoid hypocrisy.
- Charitable Giving:
- Jesus advises against performing acts of charity for public recognition, emphasizing the importance of sincerity.
- He suggests giving discreetly, so as not to seek praise from others but to please God.
- Those who give in secret will be rewarded openly by God.
- Prayer:
- Jesus cautions against praying ostentatiously in public to gain admiration.
- Instead, he encourages private prayer in one’s inner room, where God sees in secret and rewards openly.
- He provides the disciples with a model prayer, known as the Lord’s Prayer, outlining its structure and key elements.
- Emphasizes forgiveness in prayer, stating that if one forgives others, they will be forgiven by God.
- Fasting:
- Jesus advises against making a show of fasting to appear pious before others.
- He recommends maintaining a cheerful demeanor while fasting, not revealing one’s fasting to gain sympathy or recognition.
- Fasting should be done with a sincere heart, seeking God’s approval rather than human praise.
Matthew 6:1-18 teaches us to do good for the right reasons—not to get praise from others, but to honor God. Jesus reminds us to give, pray, and fast in a humble and sincere way, knowing that God sees what is in our hearts. He also gives us the Lord’s Prayer as a simple and honest way to talk to God. This passage encourages us to focus on our relationship with God rather than seeking approval from people, trusting that He rewards those who seek Him with a genuine heart.
Matthew 6:1-18 (WEB)
6:1 “Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does, 4 so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.5 “When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 In praying, don’t use vain repetitions as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. 8 Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him. 9 Pray like this:“ ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.10 Let your Kingdom come.Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.11 Give us today our daily bread.12 Forgive us our debts,as we also forgive our debtors.13 Bring us not into temptation,but deliver us from the evil one.For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.16 “Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.