Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18, 31-34(KJV)
1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. (Definition of Alms: (in historical contexts) money or food given to poor people.)
2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
This world is full of poor people in need. It's a wonderful thing to be able to help someone but there is a way to go about doing so. Jesus knew this and taught it well. Have you ever thought about what it's like to do without food, clothing, a roof over your head or are you so blessed that you have these things. Many don't, but they do have feelings. The last thing a person in need wants from anyone is for you to make a big deal out of helping them out. If you give someone a little money, or buy them groceries and take to their house, you should never do it publicly or in such a way as to embarrass that person. It makes them ashamed and oftentimes they don't even want to take the gift you are trying to give them. If you do it publicly, then you are doing it for the wrong reasons. You are doing it for YOUR OWN GLORY so that you can look good. Every work or deed we do on this earth should be to bring GLORY TO GOD. God is the only one that matters and if you do things his way, the PERSON in need will be helped, GOD will be glorified and YOU will be blessed.
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Jesus goes on to make sure they understand that it's not just helping others that should be done quietly without making a big deal out of it. Your prayers should be between YOU AND GOD. If you stand and pray so loudly that they whole church hears you, then you are only bringing attention to yourself. You are saying "Look at me" and God is not being glorified. I believe a person should lift their hands in church and give God praise, He inhabits the praise of his people, but Praise and Praying are two different things. We go to church to PRAISE GOD. I know that we pray in church as well and there is nothing wrong with that, it's how we pray that matters. If we are sincere in our PRAYERS then we WILL NOT want everyone around to hear us anyway. We will be crying out to God and God do as he says and he will answer those prayers. He will provide...
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Jesus went on to teach about "FASTING" When you really need something from God and you begin to fast and pray about it, you know you are going to hear from heaven. Fasting is a personal experience between you and God. If you make it public, then you may as well go out and buy a big cheese burger and enjoy it because you are not going about it the way Jesus taught us to do in order to get answers.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Jesus is our provider. If we put God first in our lives and live upright before him, he will provide all of our needs. Jesus explained this clearly and tried to make them understand that they should not go around worrying all the time. That the most important thing they should be doing is serving God. If you are a "BLOOD BOUGHT" child of God, then you should understand that no matter what is going on in the world, you are not part of the world. God will provide and take care of you. Just like he fed the children of Israel with manna from heaven, he will provide your every need. Blessed be his Holy Name.
