In Matthew 6, we find Jesus’ teaching about how not to be a hypocrite. Hypocrites are people who don’t do what they say; they give a show of righteousness outwardly, but in practice are far from God.
We do not learn Christ this way. We need to practice what God says in the Bible.
Give to the poor in secret
“So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:2-4)
Jesus tells us to give to charity secretly — so that even the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing. This means we should act secretly in our giving to others so that we do not receive honor from people. Let’s try to do this, and be as anonymous as possible.
Pray in secret
“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 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.” (Matthew 6:5-6)
Jesus says those who like to pray in order to show off have their reward in full. This means they get no reward from God, but their full reward is what they desire — which is to be seen and honored by people.
Instead of praying like this, we should pray to God in secret. God Himself is in secret, because He does not show Himself visibly to the world. But we can find Him if we seek Him.
God “made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:26-27).
So let us individually pray to God in secret. And God will reward us for seeking Him. See how to pray the way Jesus taught to learn how to pray according to Matthew 6:9-13.
Fast in secret
“But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face 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.” (Matthew 6:17-18).
When we fast, we should do so in secret. Try not to look haggard, but wash your face and put on oil, so that no one would know you are fasting.
Fasting is a way to focus on God and be humble before Him. In the Bible, people fasted for various reasons.
- They fasted when they humbled themselves and repented of their sins:
“In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water. But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands.” (Jonah 3:7-8) - They fasted to get God’s direction or instruction. For example, Moses fasted and got the ten commandments from God (Exodus 34:28). The disciples fasted and received God’s direction to send apostles Paul and Barnabas to the Gentiles: “While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them'” (Acts 13:2).
- People fasted to help others and to break their bonds.
“Is this not the fast which I choose,
To loosen the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the bands of the yoke,
And to let the oppressed go free
And break every yoke?
Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry
And bring the homeless poor into the house;
When you see the naked, to cover him;
And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?” (Isaiah 58:6-7)
The disciples fasted and prayed for other people so that those people would be set free from wickedness and trust in God. Also, disciples used the time during their fast to help other people and share food and clothing with those in need.
Fasting is not a way to make God do what we want Him to do. Fasting is to focus on God and do what He wants us to do.
The secret to true riches
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
True riches are from God, and they last an eternity. The things of this world are fleeting, and no one can take them when they die. But the treasures in heaven are forever. What are the treasures in heaven?
If we look at what God has created in nature, how beautiful it is, we can get an idea of how much better things are in heaven. Since God is the source of love, joy, peace and wisdom, then He knows how to create wonderful treasures for His children.
“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard,
And which have not entered the heart of man,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)
So let us focus on the above, “for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).
The secret to not worry
“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31-33)
You may have many prayer requests and needs personally. God knows this. But seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, and all that you need will be given to you.
Seeking God’s kingdom is to believe in Jesus. Seeking God’s righteousness is to be learning from Him. We can start to learn from God by doing what He says. What is Jesus saying here?
He is saying we should not worry. So practice trusting God. Do not be anxious. Trust Him and He will provide for you. As you learn to obey God, He will help you with all that you need.
Read Matthew 6 (NIV) in the Bible. See other lessons in the Gospel of Matthew.