Matthew: Chapter 6 (Part I)
Chapter 6 continues the "Sermon on the Mount", again addressing specific things which were of concern to the people living at that time. But as with other things in the Bible, these are beneficial for us as well.
Giving to the Needy
Helping one's neighbor is always good, in fact the previous chapter ended with the emphasis on loving everyone alike. So naturally, when we follow the "Love thy neighbor" part, we would also help out ones who are in need. Which is of course what God wills us to do as well. However, Jesus tackles this from the point of how and why we give.
"Acts of righteousness", as Jesus calls them, shouldn't be done for the sake of others, shouldn't be done just because someone is seeing us. Breaking this down further, Jesus tells us, don't give just to gain recognition and praise from fellow humans, and don't give just because someone else from your peers gave and you are pressured to give. These make the act of giving, an act of selfishness and not of kindness and definitely not righteousness.
Further, Jesus says, giving in such a way, while it might get praise from humans, is shunned by God and one would get no reward for that from our Father in Heaven. Rather, when we do get the change to help out, we should do it in secret so as to not attract attention to ourselves, and the LORD, who knows our heart and sees what is done in secret will reward us.
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:3,4
Prayer
Addressing "right intention" with respect to "giving for the needy", Jesus talks about the right intention in prayers. Again, Jesus says, not to pray, just to be seen by men. As in, do not pray in sight of others, just to look "righteous" and don't pray, just because someone is noticing and you have to maintain appearances. In such a case, there is no glory given to God, and the prayers wouldn't be heeded.
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6
But rather, pray in private, where only God can listen, and you will be rewarded. Further, keep prayers concise, and don't ramble on, for the LORD already knows what you need before you ask him.
Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2
The Lord's Prayer
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| The Lord's Prayer |
Further, Jesus teaches all who gathered on how to pray, the structure of which we can use in our personal prayers. It begins with a statement of adoration, praise and acceptance of God's kingdom and will.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9-10
Then a supplication for our daily needs and forgiveness for any trespasses, along with our acknowledgement that we have forgiven others.
Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 6:11-12
Finally, it concludes with a earnest appeal for protection against evil and to not be led into temptation and thus falling away from God. Followed by a doxology, asserting that everything is for the LORD.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom, and the power and the glory for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:13
Forgiveness
Once Jesus finishes telling about how to pray, he emphasizes on forgiveness again in the next two verses. In the Lord's prayer, we ask for forgiveness stating that we have forgiven others who might have wronged us. And Jesus stresses that if we do not forgive others then we would not be forgiven either. This might be hard to do in specific scenarios, maybe someone offended us or hurt us that the scars don't fade, but to be forgiven ourselves, we need to forgive. Besides, forgiving someone, does make the heart lighter.
Fasting
Again, similar to helping the needy and praying, fasting isn't something which should be done just so that others would see as and we look "righteous", or something we must do just because our peers do. But, it should be one of secrecy and the LORD will reward for pure intentions.
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