DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL GUIDE Tuesday January 16
WATCH RESTEEM AND FOLLOW
TEXT: Matthew 6:1-15
1.“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
- that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
5.“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. - And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
8.“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. - In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
- Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
- Give us this day our daily bread.
- And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
- And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
14.“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
In our text today, Jesus raises two major issues: motives for alms-giving and prayer. The Pharisees delighted in making a show of their alms. Jesus condemned that. Alms given to the poor or the physically challenged is not supposed to be a reason to show off. It should not be so because it may hurt the receiver when he hears of the giver’s boast; and above all, it ought to be given as unto God. Also, in our prayer, Jesus did not condemn public-praying; He condemns praying to show off assumed spirituality.
Both issues abound today, especially the matter of praying to show off. These days, people take glory in announcing how many days they have fasted. That is strange to the teaching of Jesus. There is nothing wrong with alms-giving or praying openly, but if the motive is to glorify ourselves, Jesus condemns it. Therefore, you need a Biblical motive in alms-giving, prayer and fasting.
Prayer: Lord, help to have the right motive in following You.