Matthew 6:1-24
Q.1. Why should we refrain from parading our giving, our praying, and our fasting in public? Where should our focus be on these activities? – (Mt.6:1-8, 16-18)
Because of our pride, there is a constant temptation to parade our good deeds, in order to impress others. Jesus declared – Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven … Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full (Mt.6:1-2 & 5). Rather –3 when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you … 6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you … 18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you (Mt.6:3-4,6,18).
Q.2. What advice did Jesus give about praying? Did Jesus mean His prayer to be recited in the church? Where does forgiveness fit in? – (Mt.6:5-15)
Jesus gave us four principles, and a pattern for praying: (i) Watch that you do not parade your praying in public. (ii) Our most earnest praying should be done in a private place. (iii) We should avoid thoughtless repetition in our prayers. (iv) We should not harbour unforgiveness in our hearts, or the Lord will not forgive us. He also gave His disciples a pattern on which to base our prayers, just as John the Baptist did with his followers (Mt.6:9-13 c.f. Lk.11:1-4). It is simple and rational.
Q.3. What is the danger in amassing riches on earth? How can we store riches in heaven? What point was Jesus making about darkness? – (Mt.6:19-24 c.f. Mt.19:16-22)
In a similar way, our focus should be on storing treasures in Heaven, rather than on earth (Mt.6:19-20). Earthly wealth can be lost, whereas the rewards of using our time and assets to advance God’s mission can never be taken from us. Jesus reminded His disciples after the visit of a rich young ruler – … Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (Mt.19:23). That is so because – for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Mt.6:21). He explained further – No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth (Mt.6:24). Some eye diseases stop the light from entering the eye to produce sight (Mt.6:22). How much more does this apply to darkened hearts and minds (c.f. Eph.4:17-19).