January 15, 2016

IF YOU'VE GOT IT, DON'T FLAUNT IT!

Matthew 6:1–18

Paige Heard
Friday's Devo

January 15, 2016

Friday's Devo

January 15, 2016

Central Truth

God looks at the heart (motive) before the hand (action). Our motives in practicing such disciplines as giving, praying, and fasting are often to gain the praise and adoration of men. In seeking man’s approval, however, we forfeit God’s blessings.

Key Verse | Matthew 6:1

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1)

Matthew 6:1–18

Giving to the Needy

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 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. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

The Lord's Prayer

And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name. 1 6:9 Or Let your name be kept holy, or Let your name be treated with reverence

10  Your kingdom come,
your will be done, 2 6:10 Or Let your kingdom come, let your will be done
    on earth as it is in heaven.

11  Give us this day our daily bread, 3 6:11 Or our bread for tomorrow
12  and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13  And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil. 4 6:13 Or the evil one; some manuscripts add For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Fasting

16 And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Footnotes

[1] 6:9 Or Let your name be kept holy, or Let your name be treated with reverence
[2] 6:10 Or Let your kingdom come, let your will be done
[3] 6:11 Or our bread for tomorrow
[4] 6:13 Or the evil one; some manuscripts add For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen

Dive Deeper | Matthew 6:1–18

Jesus focuses on the spiritual disciplines of giving, praying, and fasting. Giving helps us adopt an attitude of stewardship, not ownership. Prayer brings us into fellowship with God, as it impresses on our minds an understanding of His character, while enabling us to discern His will. Fasting, the act of going without that which your body naturally desires, creates dependence through obedience to resist temptation. All great things, right?

But this passage is much more than a simple “how to” list of instructions. Jesus does not just describe when, where, or how to practice such disciplines. He is exhorting his listeners to evaluate WHY we do them.

So, here’s some truth: I want you to like me. I want you to like me for the way I speak, the way I serve, and the way I give. I want my life to be a reflection of Christ and a means to bring Him glory.

But all too often, there is a desire within that wants to share in that glory. See also “Pharisee.” I want to be recognized and appreciated. On some level, I think we ALL want to be recognized and appreciated for our gifts, goodness, and faithfulness. As the mantra goes: "if you’ve got it, why not flaunt it?" But Jesus is calling us to something more, inviting us to examine the driving factor behind why we do what we do.

Our response to the greatest gift already given in the death of Jesus for the forgiveness of sin should be a desire to know God and make Him known. Motives to make your own name known may earn the approval of others. But that’s all you get. Man’s praise is flattering, but it’s fleeting. Jesus reminds us that true reward comes when we seek to please God alone, often through that which is done unseen, for Him whom is unseen. My reward has been a life-giving relationship with the Creator of the universe. It is a content heart that is connected to God’s. And one day, it will be eternal treasures in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Discussion Questions

1. Oswald Chambers said, “My worth to God in public is what I am in private. Is my master ambition to please Him and be acceptable to Him, or is it something less, no matter how noble?” What motivates you to give, pray, fast, serve, etc.?

2. When is the last time you gave completely anonymously? Does it irk you to not be recognized for your giving? Does your giving produce an attitude of stewardship, recognizing that everything is the Lord's to begin with (1 Corinthians 4:7)?

3. Is your public prayer an overflow of your private prayer? Does it remain a conversation with God or become a performance for those listening?

4. Take time this weekend to practice the discipline of fasting (from anything!) for a few days without telling anyone. Let it be a reminder to depend more on God while also strengthening your ability to resist temptations. Monday morning, take time to reflect with God in prayer on the rewards it bestowed upon you.

Additional Resources

For further study of Matthew 6: 1-6, listen to our sermon from Watermark Community Church from our Sermon on the Mount series about Jesus teaching on idolatry.