Matthew 6

We are still in the "Sermon on the Mount" where Jesus is giving us a glimpse of the overall view of what it means to be a Christian.   It would be foolhardy to try and separate each of these thoughts out as individual challenges, because they are mutually supporting.   That is to say, you need strength in one in order to gain in another.  

6:1-4  tells us not to show off.  There will be times when you are recognized for what you have done, and sometimes in order to help you have to do it in front of others.   What Jesus is warning against is the motivation behind the activity.   If you only help so that other people will see you, then you aren't going to be rewarded in heaven later.

6:5-15   the same idea is true for prayer.   There's nothing wrong with praying in public, we do it all the time.  But if we pray in public just to be seen by others, then we are in trouble.   As it were, most of our time in prayer should be in a space where we will not be interrupted or distracted.   A second thought offered here is a warning against "prayer nagging".   In another place Jesus himself says that the widow receives help from the unrighteous judge, because she pleads again and again.   Somewhere between what she did, and what we are being told here is the balance.     We should ask, and keep asking if we haven't received.   Paul prayed three times that his "thorn" would be removed, he only stopped when God said "I heard you, and I've got this....don't worry about it".    Then he stopped...even though he didn't get what he asked for.   He received his answer, so he stopped.
We should pray until we receive an answer...but we don't need to repeat the same phrase 100 times in order for God to hear it.   If we are sick, we value the prayers of our friends...but the volume of them doesn't influence whether or not God hears us.   He always hears us.   I know God changes his mind or his course of action based on our heartfelt prayers, but I don't know if volume has anything to do with it.    There are multitudes of saints beneath the altar in heaven crying out for justice.....and God tells them "wait a little longer".  
In any case, our prayers should be plain, and direct.   Flowery language isn't needed when talking with a friend.    Get to the point, and don't flatter.   It won't get you anywhere with God.

6:16-18   same theme.  Don't fast in public only to be seen.  Fasting is good, but showing off and using fasting as an excuse is wrong.   From personal experience I can tell you that for those of us who are in front of others all the time, keeping our motives and intentions pure is a constant challenge.

6:19-24  Now the challenge becomes even more pronounced.  Our real motivation is to be the reward in heaven, not the rewards on earth.    If you are looking for praise from men, then you are storing up treasure on earth.   Listen:  you may receive praise from men, that's fine.  It doesn't mean that you have in some way lost your reward in heaven.  It's the DESIRE for praise from others that's dangerous.    Set your heart on doing good so that your Father in heaven is please with you.   Then you will have treasure in heaven.

6;25-34  The natural flow of the chapter starts with the warning against pride, and then turns to warning against self gratification, and even touches on warning against greed.   Looking at greed from another vantage point, we see worry.   A greedy person can be very worried that they don't have enough.  (or they may just lust after things).   Worrying means that we are:  1.  not trusting in God to provide, or doubting his ability to provide   2.  Failing to be content with what we have been given, and failing to be obedient.   (when we worry, we break the command to "not worry")
I think there are times to be apprehensive, even worried.  I don't think that it should define us.  If we are constantly worried that we won't have food or clothing we are thinking God isn't faithful.
I worry sometimes that my football team won't make the touchdown, or that I will miss something on TV I wanted to watch....that's not what this is talking about.

Keep your priorities straight.   Think about what God wants, and then get busy doing the things that will please him.  Don't show off, just be content to know that God knows what you are doing and why you are doing it.   The future is in His hands, you can't shape it...but HE can and will.   Rest in Him.


PR