Matthew 6:1-18 (NIRV) New International Reader's Version
1 “Be careful not to do good deeds in front of other people. Don’t do those deeds to be seen by others. If you do, your Father in heaven will not reward you.
2 “When you give to needy people, do not announce it by having trumpets blown. Do not be like those who only pretend to be holy. They announce what they do in the synagogues and on the streets. They want to be honored by other people. What I’m about to tell you is true. They have received their complete reward. 3 When you give to needy people, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Then your giving will be done secretly. Your Father will reward you, because he sees what you do secretly.
5 “When you pray, do not be like those who only pretend to be holy. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners. They want to be seen by other people. What I’m about to tell you is true. They have received their complete reward. 6 When you pray, go into your room. Close the door and pray to your Father, who can’t be seen. Your Father will reward you, because he sees what you do secretly. 7 When you pray, do not keep talking on and on. That is what ungodly people do. They think they will be heard because they talk a lot. 8 Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need even before you ask him.
9 “This is how you should pray.
“ ‘Our Father in heaven,
may your name be honored.
10 May your kingdom come.
May what you want to happen be done
on earth as it is done in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our sins,
just as we also have forgiven those who sin against us.
13 Keep us from sinning when we are tempted.
Save us from the evil one.’
14 Forgive other people when they sin against you. If you do, your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive the sins of other people, your Father will not forgive your sins.
16 “When you go without eating, do not look gloomy like those who only pretend to be holy. They make their faces look very sad. They want to show people they are fasting. What I’m about to tell you is true. They have received their complete reward. 17 But when you go without eating, put olive oil on your head. Wash your face. 18 Then others will not know that you are fasting. Only your Father, who can’t be seen, will know it. Your Father will reward you, because he sees what you do secretly.
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In Jewish tradition, giving to needy, prayer, and fasting are considered essential religious practices and duties.
But
1. Don’t perform “religious shows”
Giving: with trumpet blowing and announcement (v2)
Praying: stand up and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners (v5)
Fasting: looking gloomy, make faces looking very sad (v16)
Discussion 1:
What are some of the examples of “religious shows” nowadays?
2. Don’t seek to be rewarded by men.
Hypocrites perform religious shows with a purpose to get attention of people and praise.
Their aim is attention, not authenticity. Their reward is praise from people and self-gratification.
Discussion 2:
What is the “complete reward” (v2, 5 and 16)?
3. Seek to be rewarded by God
Giving teaches us to let go of attachment to things and care for others in response to God’s grace.
Prayer connects us with Him in Spirit.
Fasting frees us from earthly desires and helps us to focus on God.
Real rewards is God Himself
How?
Still remember “Love Jesus mode” (John 15:9)?
Do anything with pure heart and do it for God himself.
Prayer:
Lord, help us live our faith genuinely and quietly, seeking God’s reward, not human applause.
May our giving, praying, and fasting be rooted in love, humility and devotion. Amen
