The Sermon on the Mount – Do for God, Not Self
This week’s passage: Matthew 6:1-8, 16-34
What is Your Motivation?
Matthew Chapter 6 provides clear guidance about our motives when we give, pray, and fast, our words when we pray, what we consider treasure, and why we need not worry about how we will make it through life on earth. Let’s take a look at the chapter, setting aside verses 9-15 for next week.
In verses 6:1-18 Matthew records the words of Jesus as He addressed our motives for giving, prayer and fasting.
“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.” (Matthew 6:1-2 ESV)
Are you volunteering at the soup kitchen so that others might see and think that you are admirable? Jesus says that when we give, we should do it quietly with a humble heart, not because we want the praise of others.
“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.” (Matthew 6:5 ESV)
There is nothing wrong with praying in public if you are doing it to glorify God. When you are at a restaurant and want to pray over your meal, do you say a simple prayer to honor the provision of God, or do you raise your voice to be sure everyone around you hears it? Knowing that some may be rolling their eyes, and some may be thinking “Wow! She is so faithful and righteous!” but either way, at least they are watching. Prayer is a sacred thing between God and the believer, it should never be used to draw attention to ourselves.
“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.” (Matthew 6:16 ESV)
A hypocrite is someone who often advocates or pretends to be righteous and good. Have you ever heard someone say they don’t go to church because there are so many hypocrites there? While it is a true statement, (even Jesus said there were hypocrites among the church), it is not a valid reason to avoid church. I believe that our church attendance is not only scripturally required (do not forsake the fellowship) but the only way we can overcome our human nature, which tells us that it is important for others to see us as “good” and our sin nature which tells us as long as others “think” we are good, we don’t really need to be good, is to be repentant, be in prayer, fellowship with others in a bible teaching church, and learn how to put ourselves aside and focus on God.
At the end of each of these scriptures we see the same comment by Jesus, “Truly I say to you, they have received their reward.” Do these statements present us with a contradiction? How can Jesus say “don’t do this”, then say those who do are being rewarded? On the contrary, Christ is saying that when we give, pray, or fast, it is our motive that determines our reward. Those who do these things in a flamboyant and loud manner because they want to be admired might get what they are after, the admiration of people. Their antics do not impress God and therefore they will not receive heavenly rewards.
What do You Consider Treasure?
In verses 19-21, Jesus reminds us that the things of earth are fleeting. Whatever each of us sees as a “treasure”, if it is something of this earth (money, homes, cars, etc.) it will not last, it will only cause us to put our hearts into the world instead of giving our hearts to God.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
How do we lay up treasures in heaven? It is a matter of focus and humbleness. If our eye is turned toward heaven and not earth, then we are filled with His light instead of the earth’s darkness (v23). We cannot look to the things of earth to make us whole and expect God to pitch in when needed – we can only serve one master (v.24).
No Worries
Worry does nothing to add to our life span and brings us nothing but stress. As we mature in the things of Christ, we understand that it is possible for us to live a life free of worry as the last 10 verses tell us we should. Indeed, if God takes care of the birds who do not reap or gather to survive, how much more will He do for us? Take some time to read verses 25 -34 in at least two (go for three) translations. In these verses you will see the heart that God has for us and be blessed!
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:31-34 NKJV)
Everything we have is a blessing from God, if He gives more than you and your family need, then that is a blessing for those to whom you give. Let’s encourage one another to serve the One who created and controls all things, there is only one God and He will provide what we need.
How can we apply this passage to the growth of our “salt and light”?
If you see other ways to apply this Word in your life, feel free to share in the comments.
Thx for the good words, scripture and reminders! Always good to have an attitude check!
ReplyDeleteIt is so good! I needed the Word about worry this week, so I felt blessed by the timing of this scripture.
ReplyDelete