Apicontent

“Do not give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls before pigs; otherwise they will trample them under their feet and turn around and tear you to pieces.” —Matthew 7:6

This verse reminds me of Jesus’ words regarding the hypocritical Pharisee’s reaction to His teaching:

“Then the disciples came to him and said, ‘Do you know that when the Pharisees heard this saying they were offended?’ And he replied, ‘Every plant that my heavenly Father did not plant will be uprooted. Leave them! They are blind guides. If someone who is blind leads another who is blind, both will fall into a pit.’” —Matthew 15:12–14

Who can help those who hate reproof? Who can heal and help those who refuse to be healed and helped? Jesus tells us we are to be passionate for God’s truth, yet that passion must be guided by discretion. We are not to go about giving instruction and counsel to those who are hardened and seek with pleasure to trample our words and tear us to pieces. Good counsel and reproof are sacred things and God’s ordinances are as pearls. Scripture tells us a fool avoids wisdom and understanding—always, sadly, to his own harm. A fool is his own worst enemy.

“It is an honor for a person to cease for strife, but every fool quarrels.” —Proverbs 20:3

“Do not speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.” —Proverbs 23:9

As believers, we are to manifest a correction of our culture rather than to be a reflection of it. We earn the right to be heard by what we do. When those around us see a life that talks like Christ, yet walks no differently than they do, there will be no kingdom impact. When our hearts are changed, our lives are to be changed.

“The good news of the gospel is not that God will provide a way to make life easier. The good news of the gospel, for this life, is that He will make our lives better. We will be empowered to draw close to God and to love others well and to do both for one central purpose, to glorify God, to make Him look good to any who watch us live.” —Larry Crabb

If we are not changed by the power of the Spirit, choosing rather to blend with the world, what kind of pathetic impact is that? Believers are to be different from the ways of the world! Sadly, God’s Word often falls on deaf ears and is met with argumentative mindsets even on hearts that are perhaps readied to hear the truth. Remember, wisdom is always proved right by what she does. If we truly believe God’s Word, our lives will reflect it.

Become More

“The way of a fool is right in his own opinion, but the one who listens to advice is wise.” —Proverbs 12:15

Further Reflection

“A rebuke makes a greater impression on a discerning person than a hundred blows on a fool.” —Proverbs 17:10

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For by the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive. Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ while there is a beam in your own? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” —Matthew 7:1–5

In our verses for today, Jesus warns against the hypocritical judging of another. Jesus continually preached against a pious attitude that tears others down rather than seeks to help build them up. We are to strictly scrutinize ourselves and our own actions (which should keep us quite busy!), and not judge our brothers and sisters. The traits we often dislike in others are so often the habits we dislike in ourselves. Our unbridled and untamed passions and habits are the very ones we seem to want to change in those around us.

The Bible teaches us to think rightly and to live rightly which enables us to live a life of value to ourselves and to others. When we judge others, God states He will use on us the same measurement of judgment we have used. Scripture says that we are called to counsel and reprove one another, but we are not to judge. This requires a proper attitude of humility and love, always seeking what is best for the one we counsel. We are to deal with others the same way the Lord Jesus has dealt with us—full of mercy and love! Those struggling often need our encouragement and not our criticism. Is our goal to build up or tear someone to shreds?

“Have mercy on those who waver; save others by snatching them out of the fire; have mercy on others, coupled with a fear of God, hating even the clothes stained by the flesh.” —Jude 22–23

God is the only One who is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. We are not to be uncharitable or unmerciful, having a spirit of revenge, hypocrisy, pride, or harm. Duplicity is detestable to God and He hates hypocrisy. Anytime we are severe on the faults of others while indulging in like behavior, we are nothing more than hypocrites. We must remember Scripture tells us that mercy always triumphs over judgment:

“Speak and act as those who will be judged by a law that gives freedom. For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment. What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him?” —James 2:12–14

Become More

“The pearl of justice is found in the heart of mercy.” —Catherine of Siena

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” —Jesus (Luke 6:36)

Further Reflection

“Nothing graces the Christian soul as much as mercy.” —Ambrose

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are? And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life? Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these! And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, won’t he clothe you even more, you people of little faith? So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.” —Matthew 6:25–34

Worry, fret, anxiety, a troubled spirit, or a disquieted heart—none are proper for a child of the King. Simply put, Christians are not to worry!

When we worry, it demonstrates to the world our lack of faith, our loss of joy, and our inability to appreciate what the hand of God has provided. We worry when we are overly concerned about getting what we think we want. Sometimes our “wanting” may simply need to be fixed! What each and one of us really desires, whether we know it or not, is to be smack dab in the center of God’s perfect and pleasing will!

Anxiety takes our eyes off the Provider, Jesus, and places them on our weaknesses and inabilities. God takes pleasure in those who hope in His goodness and mercy! Worry is quite pointless unless, of course, we enjoy ulcers and high blood pressure. Jesus is earnest in warning us against worry because it is so distracting, distrustful, and a waste of our energies. Jesus desired for His followers not to be torn apart in their minds and spirits.

Paul echoes Jesus’ teaching in Philippians:

“Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:6–7

It is God’s delight for us to dwell at ease in Him. He gives His children exactly what we need! God is faithful and loving, satisfying our desires with good things. When we fret over our circumstances, we question God’s goodness and faithfulness. The Psalmist proclaims:

“You open your hand, and fill every living thing with the food they desire.” —Psalm 145:16

Jesus did not say the person who takes no thought of anything for his life will be blessed. One that merely sits at home and does not work with his mouth open to be fed is nothing but a fool. What Jesus did teach His disciples is that our relationship with God is to be the dominating focus of our lives. We are to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. We are to be cautiously carefree regarding everything else in comparison to that. It is a matter of priorities.

Paul tells us in Colossians:

“Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people, because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ.” —Colossians 3:23–24

Become More

“Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things to the point where they become the primary concern of our life. Whenever there are competing concerns in your life, be sure you always put your relationship to God first.” —Oswald Chambers

Further Reflections

“There is unwavering peace today when an uncertain tomorrow is trusted to an unchanging God.” —Ann Voskamp

“All worry is a desperate wanting of my own way.” —Ann Voskamp

“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.” —Charles Spurgeon

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” —Matthew 6:24

As I read this verse, the first commandment flashes through my mind. It is a simple call for submission in every area of one’s life to the rule of God:

“You must not have any other gods besides me.” —Deuteronomy 5:7

This begs the question of us all—to what or to whom do we cling? To what or to whom do we allow our devotions to become attached? What commands our attention, consumes our thoughts? Just exactly where do our loyalties lie?

Jesus tells us in Scripture that a divided house will not stand. We cheat our own souls when we seek to divide our loyalties between God and the world, between treasures on earth and treasures in heaven, between pleasing God and pleasing man.

Scripture does not say we must not or we should not, rather we cannot serve both God and the things of this world. Christians are to resist the seductive influence of the glitz of the created.

John tells us:

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, because all that is in the world (the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the arrogance produced by material possessions) is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away with all its desires, but the person who does the will of God remains forever.” —1 John 2:15–17

The psalmist says:

“I look up toward you, the one enthroned in heaven. Look, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a female servant look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes will look to the LORD, our God, until he shows us favor.” —Psalm 123:1–2

I find it extremely interesting that the words translated “devoted to” in our verse for today are from the Greek word antecho meaning: “to hold firmly, to cleave to and to be loyal and devoted to. The word portrays one holding an object directly in front of himself before his gaze, squarely across from himself before his face, and thus closely or near, in order to give his attention to the object” (Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible, New Testament Lexical Aids).

I am confident that is why Paul tells us that we are to strive earnestly to focus our attention on things above, concentrating on the eternal rather than the temporal:

“Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ (who is your life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him.” — Colossians 3:1–4

We must individually choose what, or whom we will serve. Just as Joshua told the Israelites:

“Now obey the LORD and worship him with integrity and loyalty. Put aside the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt and worship the LORD. If you have no desire to worship the LORD, choose today whom you will worship, whether it be the gods whom your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. But I and my family will worship the LORD.” —Joshua 24:14–15

Become More

“We make our choices and then our choices make us. Our everyday choices reveal what we really desire. The essence of sin is pride. The heart of sin is independence and the core of sin is demanding my own way instead of God’s.” —Pat Singleterry

Further Reflections

“That to which your heart clings is your god.” —Martin Luther

“Jesus said to him, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” —Matthew 22:37–38

“Do not give your heart to that which does not satisfy your heart.” —Abba Poemen

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If then your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is diseased, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” —Matthew 6:22–23

What is it we set our sights on? Is our spiritual vision tainted by what the world offers? Do we prostitute ourselves by going after the desires of our own hearts and eyes? We are to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord! We are to live our lives before an audience of One!

I am reminded of the poor example of Eve. We are told in Genesis that by her maintaining a selfish desire, she fell, dragging her husband down with her:

“When the woman saw that the tree produced fruit that was good for food, was attractive to the eye, and was desirable for making one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate it. She also gave some of it to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.” —Genesis 3:6

Do not be mistaken, we never sin as unto ourselves. Sadly, it will always affect those around us. The ripple effect goes on and on.

“Let this be a warning to me, O Lord. Set thou a guard before my eyes, ears, and other faculties, lest the world again should enter through these avenues of the heart; if the spark be not speedily extinguished, it will soon break out into a flame: thus sin is of a progressive nature, and its venom spreads very quickly and very wide, unless it be stopped and opposed in time. “The hypocrite soars like the kite, with his eye on the prey below. The true Christian soars like the lark, higher and higher, forgetting the things that are beneath.” —Matthew Henry

We must be careful to guard ourselves against worldliness. We are to be sojourners and ambassadors for Christ! Our citizenship is ultimately in heaven. The Christian, like the traveler, must have their eye on the journey’s end. Our spiritual vision is to have the capacity to see clearly the right road—God’s path.

Solomon’s wisdom rings true:

“Wisdom is directly in front of the discerning person, but the eyes of a fool run to the ends of the earth.” — Proverbs 17:24

Surely the writer of Hebrews was on target when he tells us where our gaze should remain:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up.” —Hebrews 12:1–3

Become More

“Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ (who is your life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him.” —Colossians 3:1–4

Further Reflection

“I, the LORD, probe into people’s minds. I examine people’s hearts. I deal with each person according to how he has behaved. I give them what they deserve based on what they have done.” —Jeremiah 17:10

“Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and devouring insect destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and devouring insect do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” —Matthew 6:19–21

Hmmm … maybe I need to clean out some closets, purge the attic, or rid myself of some stuff!

Jesus expands on this “stuff” principle in a wonderful parable in Luke:

“The land of a certain rich man produced an abundant crop, so he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to myself, “You have plenty of goods stored up for many years; relax, eat, drink, celebrate!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded back from you, but who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ So it is with the one who stores up riches for himself, but is not rich toward God.” —Luke 12:16–21

Life is vastly more important than the accumulation of material things. We are all created for a far greater purpose than self-indulgence, greed, wealth, and the desire to be satisfied by the created rather than the Creator.

The words Jesus uses in Matthew as “store up” come from the Greek wordthesaurizo meaning to gather and to reserve. Our Lord warns us against storing up that which is temporal. We must not place our hearts upon what our eyes can see and our hands can grasp. Everything here on earth will eventually rot or rust and in the end prove not flame retardant! Jesus tells us we are to store up for ourselves that which will make it through the fire when our works and deeds are tested

Paul tells us: “According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master-builder I laid a foundation, but someone else builds on it. And each one must be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than what is being laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, each builder’s work will be plainly seen, for the Day will make it clear, because it will be revealed by fire. And the fire will test what kind of work each has done. If what someone has built survives, he will receive a reward. If someone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” —1 Corinthians 3:10–15

Do our treasures lie in the wealth of the world or the eternal treasures above? The heart will follow its treasure. Love and affection, value and esteem, are all placed on what one treasures. We are to watch the way we live our lives; it will show us what we highly esteem. How do we spend and invest our time? How do we spend and invest our resources? This is definitely not just about money; it is about all the gifts we have been given. We are stewards of everything that God has blessed us with!

“You must remember the LORD your God, for he is the one who gives ability to get wealth; if you do this he will confirm his covenant that he made by oath to your ancestors, even as he has to this day.” —Deuteronomy 8:18

Become More

“Being generous with your money is a personal quality of someone that the grace of God has gripped. Why? Because the essence of the Gospel of grace is generosity. Jesus Christ gave up the Greatest Treasure in the world. He gave away his treasure when he left the most affluent gated community in the universe, heaven and all its glory, became poor, so that we might become rich. He gave up Ultimate wealth—Himself, for you. ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’, he said and lived. He also said you cannot serve God and money, it’s impossible. You have to choose. Only by the power of the Gospel of grace can you begin to be generous”. —Tom Wood

Further Reflection

“The one who loves money will never be satisfied with money, he who loves wealth will never be satisfied with his income. This also is futile.” —Ecclesiastes 5:10

“When you fast, do not look sullen like the hypocrites, for they make their faces unattractive so that people will see them fasting. I tell you the truth, they have their reward! When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others when you are fasting, but only to your Father who is in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.” —Matthew 6:16–18

In its simplest form, fasting is denying oneself for a specific period of time something that one enjoys. It can be as varied as food or television, movies or the newspaper, chocolate or chewing gum, shopping or hunting, sweet tea or cookies, or whatever you enjoy most! When it is something we enjoy, quite often we are continuously reminded to pray and seek God’s glory. The purpose behind fasting is to draw attention in prayer to our heavenly Father every time our thoughts turn to crave that which we are fasting from. Fasting provides extra time for prayer, teaches self-discipline, helps us to subdue corrupt desires, reminds us that we can live with a lot less, and helps us to reflect upon and appreciate the abundant provisions from God’s hand. Fasting is also a practice that helps us to reach higher duties.

“Then he said to them all, ‘If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it. For what does it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but loses or forfeits himself?’” —Luke 9:23–25

I think it interesting that Jesus does not begin this lesson with, “If you fast,” but “When you fast.” The Israelites were commanded to fast once a year on the Day of Atonement. Scripture is full of examples of fasting. David, Queen Esther, Jesus himself, Paul and Barnabas, and many others all fasted and prayed. We see this discipline embraced oftentimes prior to major decisions, people seeking to know the will of God or to gain strength for the duty ahead.

Jesus criticizes those fasting for show. When we perform acts for man’s approval, the pay is always worldly in measure. We need not expect heaven’s recompense. Fasting requires contrition and humiliation of the soul.

We are not told how often we are to fast nor directed how to manage a private fast. It is as the Holy Spirit who directs us as He leads us in our hearts. However, we are to remember that when we fast, it is to approve ourselves to God.

Become More

“It costs much to obtain the power of the Spirit: It costs self-surrender and humiliation and a yielding up of our most precious things to God; it costs the perseverance of long waiting, and the faith of strong trust. But when we are really in that power, we shall find this difference, that whereas before, it was hard for us to do the easiest things, now it is easy for us to do the hard things.” —A J. Gordon

Further Reflection

“Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.” —2 Timothy 2:15

“So pray this way: Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored, may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins.” —Matthew 6:9–15

Here Jesus presents us with a model prayer. This is a prayer for His disciples to follow. It is an example containing elements important for our petitions. Christ begins His pattern of prayer with worship. Worship, reverence, and thanksgiving to our Holy Father are to be the foundation of all of our prayers. We praise God in all His perfections. We do not praise Him because He needs it, we praise Him because He deserves it! Beginning our prayers with praise helps us keep the correct perspective of who He is and who we are.

The psalmist tells us:

“Worship the LORD with joy! Enter his presence with joyful singing! Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give him thanks! Praise his name!” —Psalm 100:2–4

Certainly, there is nothing more pleasing and pleasant both to us and to God than for each one of us to call Him “Abba Father.” He thankfully comforts us in our weakness and denies us nothing that is ultimately for our good and His glory. He is on His throne in heaven and from there maintains a full and clear view of our burdens and needs as well as our weaknesses. God knows us through and through and is fully aware of the attitudes and thoughts. He is not only willing; He is also able to help us do great things! He gladly comes to the aid of those seeking to do right.

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! Don’t be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you—yes, I help you—yes, I uphold you with my saving right hand!” —Isaiah 41:10

The words of the Lord’s Prayer tell us to seek God’s will in order that He may be glorified and we may be satisfied. The Lord Jesus came to do His Father’s will, setting the example for His disciples to follow. We are to line up our wants with the will of the Father. All requests are to be subordinate to and in pursuit of His righteousness and glory. We are to pray that He may rule in our hearts as a demonstration of trust in Him that He has our best interest at heart. We do well to pray for the knowledge of His will and the ability to obey it, both are necessary for the child of the King. There is no better place on earth to be than in the center of God’s will.

Our petitions are to be not only for that which is wholesome but also for that which is daily. We are to speak in a direct and specific manner for the things we both need and desire, always according to His will, and with an expectation to draw from Him upon the unlimited resources of heaven. We need not worry about tomorrow! Day by day we can count on His mercies and grace.

Become More

“Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness.” —Martin Luther

“Prayer is not so much an act as it is an attitude—an attitude of dependency, dependency upon God.” —A. W. Pink

Further Reflections

“Be eager for more frequent gatherings for thanksgiving to God and for His glory.” —Ignatius of Antioch

“Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. You assist those who delight do right, who remember your commandments.” —Isaiah 64:4–5

“Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward! But whenever you pray, go into your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. When you pray, do not babble repetitiously like the Gentiles, because they think that by their many words they will be heard. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” —Matthew 6:5–8

The Pharisees loved to demonstrate their righteousness. They enjoyed performing their act of public prayer—and an act it was. In their long flowing robes and with their long flowing religious jargon, their prayers were not directed towards God but towards the ears and eyes of their hearers. They were famous for their long repetitive phrases. Their prayers drew the recognition, attention, and admiration from man, but not from God. Our heavenly Father always directs His gaze to the motive and the heart. Jesus tells us that the Pharisees received their reward in full. 

Make no mistake about it; God is never into the exaltation of self. I am reminded of the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector:

“Jesus also told this parable to some who were confident that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else. ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself like this: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: extortionists, unrighteous people, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’ The tax collector, however, stood far off and would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!” I tell you that this man went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.’” —Luke 18:9–14

This Pharisee’s prayer consisted of telling God how good he was. Jesus says the one justified was the one who was humbly repentant not sanctimoniously smug.

Peter tells us:

“In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand.”—1 Peter 5:5–6

The Lord Jesus also tells us we are to handle prayer privately. Christians are to be a praying people and prayer is to be a conversation between each one of us and our Maker. It is to be earnest, not trifling, humble, not demanding.

What passes between God and the deep expression of our own souls must be out of sight and not on stage. Public places are not proper for earnest private prayer. Our Father in heaven is ready to hear and answer, ever graciously willing to help and aid us. He is especially near to those who pour out their heart. Children do not make long speeches to their parents when they are in need. Our simple cry of “Help!” is not a bad prayer.

Become More

“Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” —Ephesians 3:20–21

“Before they even call out, I will respond; while they are still speaking, I will hear.” —Isaiah 65:24

Further Reflections

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes on behalf of the saints according to God’s will.” —Romans 8:26–27

“There is no true holiness without humility.” —Thomas Fuller

“Tears have a tongue and grammar and language that our Father knows.” —Samuel Rutherford

“Be careful not to display your righteousness merely to be seen by people. Otherwise you have no reward with your Father in heaven. Thus whenever you do charitable giving, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in synagogues and on streets so that people will praise them. I tell you the truth, they have their reward! But when you do your giving, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your gift may be in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.” —Matthew 6:1–4

In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus begins to warn against hypocrisy and worldly-mindedness; sins that we should be ever aware of and on our guard against. It was these sins that characterized the lives of the Pharisees. Giving is a high Christian duty and yet we must be aware of the subtle sin of pride which can quietly worm itself into our actions.

I remember praying thirty or so years ago that I would never remember anything I did that was positive for someone else. I enjoyed doing things incognito. If something redeeming or edifying flowed from my hands or mouth, something sacrificial or encouraging, it was only because of the Lord Jesus within me. I knew that if I pondered prestige, thinking I should be honored or repaid in any way, that the recognition would negate the action as cause me to stumble. I disliked the thought of “keeping score” and wanted the freedom from myself and others to do or give as the Lord directed. And He answered my request. Unwittingly, I was living out the principle that our Lord describes in our verses for today. We are to live our lives for an audience of One.

“Certainly the Lord watches the whole earth carefully and is ready to strengthen those who are devoted to him. You have acted foolishly in this matter; from now on you will have war.” —2 Chronicles 16:9

Giving is a duty which is accompanied by great reward when not done hypocritically with pride. One can never out-give God!

“Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the measure you receive.” —Luke 6:38

The promise of Scripture will hold true for those who give to please God rather than man.

It is certainly true that the Pharisees practiced the duty of giving, but their motive was not in obedience to God or of love for their fellow man. What the Pharisees really wanted was the praise of man. They wanted to be able to boast of their piety. Their actions were purely for show, choosing to give where all could see. Praise was their pay in full.

Jesus tells us we are to conceal our giving as much as possible. We are not to dwell on how much we give or how often, rather we are to be diligent in keeping our actions concealed and private. We are to give because it is good work and not to receive a good reputation.

Become More

“Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or naked and clothe you? When did we see or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me.’” —Matthew 25:34–40

Find a way today to bless someone in some way in secret.

Further Reflection

“Self-conceit and self-delight, the adoring of our own shadow, are branches of pride.” —Matthew Henry