Matthew 6:1 says, 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. Jesus tells us that we are not to give simply so that others can see us do so. Christianity is never intended to be a show off religion, but instead is to be a humble relationship. Verse two adds, 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. Jesus tells us if we engage in religious activities to bring attention to ourselves, then that is our reward. We will not receive a blessing from God for doing so. Verse three continues, But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: Jesus says in effect that we are to do our alms, or give our gifts, without anyone knowing. Verse four concludes, That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. Jesus tells us to keep what we give secret, between God and us alone. When we give to the church or to help others, we are to do so in such a way that only God receives the praise. Verse five states, 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. Jesus then spoke about prayer and said that we are not to be as the hypocrites who like to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners so they could be seen of men. We should never pray to bring attention to ourselves, but should keep the focus on God. Verse six adds, Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Jesus tells us tt when we pray simply to be seen by men that we already have our reward, and that is from people and not God. Verse six declares, 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 tells us that we are to go into our closet and shut the door when we pray, so that our prayer may be between God and us. Verse seven adds, But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Jesus tells us that our prayers should not be full of empty words and long, drawn out speeches. Now, my mealtime prayers are usually repetitious, but they hopefully are not vain, or empty, words. Verse eight continues, Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Jesus tells us that we do not need long, repetitious prayers because God already knows what we need. We are simply acknowledging the fact that we know that He already knows and will supply our needs when we pray to Him. We do not need to get God's attention or beg Him for His help. Verse nine declares, After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Jesus then gives us what I like to refer to as the model prayer. The first thing that we should do when we pray is acknowledge God as our heavenly Father and give honor to Him. Verse ten says, Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Jesus tells us that we are not to first ask for material things, but we are to ask for Gods will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Verse eleven states, Give us this day our daily bread. After acknowledging God as our heavenly Father and asking that His will be done, then we are to ask that He meet our daily needs. This does not say that we are to bring a shopping list to God and expect Him to fill it. Asking that our daily needs be met means that everyday we need to ask God to meet them, so this requires daily prayer. Verse twelve adds, And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Then, we are to ask God to forgive us as we forgive others. We cannot expect God to forgive our sin if we do not forgive others of their sins against us. Verse thirteen concludes, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. God is never going to lead us into temptation, but we need to rely on Him to keep us from temptation. Then, Jesus said we are to close by acknowledging that everything belongs to God and that we are to live by His power and for His glory. Verse fourteen declares, For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: Then verse fifteen adds, But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Jesus then expanded on forgiving others. He said if we do not forgive those who have done something that somehow hurt us, then the heavenly Father will not forgive us. I believe this means that we can not harbor resentment against other people or wish bad things would happen to them, no matter what they may have done to us.
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