Matthew 6
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Matthew 6: Instructions on Giving, Prayer, and Fasting
Matthew 6: Instructions on Giving, Prayer, and Fasting
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Alms means charitable deeds or righteousness. Jesus tells us to not do righteous things for the sake of display or image (to be seen by them). It is almost impossible to do spiritual things in front of others without thinking what their opinion is of us. This does not contradict His previous command to let your light so shine before men (Matthew 5:16). Although Christians are to be seen doing good works, they must not do good works simply to be seen.
The idea is when we do righteous deeds for the attention of men, their attention is our reward. It is much better to receive a reward from your Father in heaven.
Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
It was a custom for some in Jesus’ day to draw attention to their giving so they would be known as generous. Today, people do not sound a trumpet to project the image of generosity, but they still know how to call attention to their giving.
In older Greek a hypocrites (‘hypocrite’) was an actor, but by the first century the term came to be used for those who play roles and see the world as their stage.
Jesus tells the one who gives for the sake of societal standing to enjoy it, because that will be all the reward that he will receive. The Greek word used here “apecho” means receipts. There will be no reward in heaven for the one who did it for the motive of an earthly reward.
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Our giving is to be – if it were possible – even hidden from ourselves. Though we cannot really be ignorant about our own giving, we can deny ourselves any indulgent self-congratulation.
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
The issue is really a matter of motive. If we give for our own glory, it doesn’t matter if no one finds out and we will still have no reward from God. But if we give for God’s glory, it doesn’t matter who finds out, because your reward will remain because you gave for the right motive.
We should remember that God sees everything, and that he sees not only the act, but also the motive that led to it.
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
There were two main places where a Jew in Jesus’ day might pray in a hypocritical manner. They might pray at the synagogue at the time of public prayer, or on the street at the appointed times of prayer (9 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m.).
These hypocrites prayed not to be heard by God, but to be seen by men. When we pray publicly, do we do it to impress or teach others instead or genuinely pour out our hearts to God?
Again, those praying to be seen of men have their reward, and they should enjoy it in full – because that is all they will receive.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
The idea is of a private place where we can impress no one except God. The specific ancient Greek word “closet or room” was used for a storeroom where treasures were kept. This reminds us that there are treasures and rewards waiting for us in our private prayers.
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
The right kind of prayer does not use vain repetitions, which is any and all prayer which is mostly words and no meaning; all lips and no mind or heart. Think of Ecclesiastes 5: 2
Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
We don’t pray to tell God things that He didn’t know before we told Him. We pray to communicate with a loving God who wants us to bring every need and worry to Him.
The next verses go over what’s called the Lord’s Prayer. Now many of us probably know the words, but we may not know the meaning. This made me think about a story I read:
John Cassis is a motivational speaker and chaplin and he told a story about a time when he was serving as one of the Chaplin's for the Chicago Bears during the 80's.
As John tells it, Mike Ditka was about to deliver a locker room pep talk one day. He looked up and saw defensive tackle William "Refrigerator" Perry. How could he not see him? At 338 pounds the Fridge stood out even in a crowd of pro football players. Ditka gestured to the Fridge. "When I get finished," he said, "I'd like you to close with the Lord's Prayer." Then the coach began his talk.
Meanwhile, Jim McMahon, the brash and outspoken quarterback, punched John Cassis. "Look at Perry," McMahon whispered, "he doesn't know the Lord's Prayer."
Sure enough, Perry sat with a look of panic on his face, his head in his hands. He was sweating profusely. "Everybody knows the Lord's Prayer," said Cassis to McMahon in disbelief. After a few minutes of watching the Refrigerator leaking several gallons of sweat, McMahon nudged Cassis again. "I'll bet you 50 bucks Fridge doesn't know the Lord's Prayer."
As Cassis tells the story, he stops to reflect on the absurdity of it all: "Here we were sitting in chapel and betting 50 bucks on the Lord's Prayer."
When Coach Ditka finished his pep talk, he asked all the men to remove their caps. Then he nodded at Perry and bowed his head. It was quiet for a few moments before the Fridge spoke in a shaky voice, "Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord, my soul to keep"
John Cassis felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Jim McMahon. "Here's the 50 dollars," he whispered. "I had no idea Perry knew the Lord's Prayer."
I remember playing football and saying the Lord’s Prayer at every practice and every game. And at that time it was nothing more than repeated words. I didn’t think about what it meant, or why we said it. It had become those vain repetitions. So this morning I want us to really look at what Jesus is teaching us. The meaning and instructions, not just the words.
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
The right kind of prayer comes to God as a Father in heaven. It rightly recognizes whom we pray to. He is our Father, but He is our Father in heaven. When we say “in heaven,” we remember God’s holiness and glory. And remember to pray for each other, Jesus says “our Father” not “my father”. And what does hallow mean? It means to make holy, to set apart for holy use, to respect, or to honor greatly. So this is saying God’s name is holy, deserving of respect, and something we should honor.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
We see God’s name, kingdom and will have the top priority. The first three petitions are about God, then the next four about the person who is praying. God is to be put first always. In heaven there is no disobedience and no obstacles to God’s will, we should want the same for Earth. With Jesus the kingdom came, was rejected, and is now suspended while we await the end of this age. This is why we still pray for the kingdom to “come”, we are still waiting for the complete fulfillment.
Give us this day our daily bread.
This refers to requesting and giving thanks to God for our needs. The literal bread that sustains the flesh, the spiritual bread of our salvation (Jesus), and the ability to join in fellowship with God directly through Christ’s sacrifice represented by the last supper/communion. Think back to Matthew 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
So let’s look at a few verses and put the pieces together.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
So back to that verse in Matthew
Give us this day our daily bread.
So the Lord’s Prayer says we should ask for our daily bread. The sustenance needed physically and spiritually. What we need for LIFE. And we ask for it DAILY. Every. Single. Day. Talk to God. Talk to Jesus.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
This verse is straight forward. Forgive one another. We should be a reflection of Christ, and if He is willing to forgive us for all of our sins, who are we to deny forgiveness to each other.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Evil here meaning the evil one, the antichrist, Satan himself. So we pray for Jesus to keep us from the evil one. Look at Psalm 18 2
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
And verse 13 also asks for us not to be led into temptation. Temptation literally means a test, not always a solicitation to do evil. God has promised to keep us from any testing that is greater than what we can handle. Think of 1 Corinthians 10: 13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Now let’s look at the last part of verse 13.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
The right kind of prayer praises God and credits to Him the kingdom and the power and the glory.
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Note the word IF in this verse. It’s very important. That means that God’s forgiveness for us has a contingency. If we expect forgiveness from God, we must first forgive one another.
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Forgiveness is required for those who have been forgiven. We are not given the luxury of holding on to our bitterness towards other people. Jesus is telling us forgiveness is a command, it’s not an option, it is REQUIRED.
Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Jesus spoke to these fundamental practices of spiritual life in His kingdom: giving, praying, and now fasting. Clearly, Jesus assumed that His followers would fast.
The Old Testament commanded fasting on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29-31 and 23:32-37; Numbers 29:7). During the Exile, the Jewish people expanded the practice of fasting (Zechariah 7:3-5 and 8:19).
Fasting is something good that was corrupted by the hypocrisy of the religious people of Jesus’ day. Our corrupt natures can corrupt something good into something bad. A modern example of a good thing gone bad is the manner of dressing nice on Sunday. There is nothing wrong with this in itself – it can even be good as an expression of reverence or respect; but if it is used to compete with others or to draw attention to yourself, something good has become something bad.
The hypocritical scribes and Pharisees wanted to make sure that everybody knew they were fasting, so they would have a sad countenance and disfigure their faces so their agony of fasting would be evident to all. When hypocrites receive the admiration of men for these “spiritual” efforts, they receive all the reward they will ever get.
But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
In contrast, Jesus instructed us to take care of ourselves as usual and to make the fast something of a secret before God.
Jesus teaches that true righteousness flows from a heart seeking God, not the approval of people. Jesus addresses three core spiritual practices—giving, prayer, and fasting—and shows that God is concerned not only with the act but with the motive behind it. He shifts the focus from outward performance to inner sincerity.
Jesus teaches that giving, prayer, and fasting are powerful spiritual disciplines—but only when done with humility, sincerity, and a desire to honor God rather than impress people. God sees what is done in secret, and He rewards those whose hearts are turned toward Him. Above all, these are meant to be tools we use to further our communication with God. He desires a relationship with us, a relationship that we have chosen to nurture. That’s why he has given us free will. The best thing we can do every single day, is to talk with God and keep him in our hearts and in our lives.
Matthew 6: Instructions on Giving, Prayer, and Fasting
Matthew 6: Instructions on Giving, Prayer, and Fasting
