Spiritually Yours

A Practical application of principles contained in the International Sunday Lessons

PRACTICES OF PIETY

 LESSON SIX

 MATTHEW 6:1-14

KEY VERSE: “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” (Matthew 6:1).

 In this lesson, we examine two of the most important ‘ordinances’ of the contemporary church: giving and prayer. As important as both of these concepts are, they, I find, are equally controversial. For, many of the practitioners of public giving and prayer are often times guilty of the same hypocrisy exhibited by those whom JESUS considered hypocrites, and of whom HE spoke, the Scribes and the Pharisees.

Let me point out here that JESUS had no problem with public giving and prayer; HIS greatest concern was the motive and purpose behind the practice. Further, HE was concerned about one’s attitude and direction of our giving and prayers. This is why HE includes, not the prayer that we should pray as some believe, but, instead, THE MODEL OR EXAMPLE FOR PRAYER that should be prayed (THE LORD’S PRAYER).

1. BELIEVERS AND GIVING (6:1-4)

 Allow me to begin this section with a statement that I believe should be the believer’s motto for giving, and one, which my pastor constantly reminds the congregation, “You can give without worship but you can’t worship without giving.” That being said, let us now reflect on what the MASTER TEACHER is trying to get us, as well as those to whom HE spoke, to understand about this concept of the “giving (doing) of alms.”

First, we need to understand that “alms” by definition is either “a gift or gifts fir the poor.” Thus JESUS was not just teaching on the giving of “tithes and offerings” to the church proper, but giving as an act of benevolence or mercy toward one in need, as opposed to one’s religious ‘duty.’ These acts are done simply for the good of those on the receiving end of such gifts. This appears to be in direct contrast to some of the “celebrities” we constantly see with cameras following them everywhere they go to document all of the “acts of charity” they are ‘performing.’ This is not to say that this is the motive of all who record their deeds, for there are some who truly want o make others aware of the plight of those in need. I don’t think that JESUS would have a problem with the latter group, since there is no selfish motive behind their actions.

The greatest “joy” that I personally have experienced from giving is when the only persons to be even aware of the act(s) were the recipient(s), GOD and I. If believers could only realize that it is a “blessing” to be able to “be a blessing” to one in need, then they would truly understand why “THY FATHER WHICH SEETH IN SECRET HIMSELF SHALL REWARD THEE OPENLY.”

Please understand that this is not a condemnation of public, open giving but simply

one against vain or selfish, glory-seeking motives or attitude as the purpose for one’s action. Therefore, once again let me reiterate that “You can give without worship but you can’t worship without giving.”

2.      BELIEVERS AND PRAYER (vv.5-13)

 While there are numerous examples for today’s believer (i.e. David’s many prayers in the Book of Psalms and my personal favorite Daniel, who “prayed three times a day from his youth” Daniel 6:10), none were able to teach us on the proper method and direction of prayer except OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.

JESUS had two ‘basic’ problems with those who exercised public prayer: one, they were praying to be publicly recognized for their prayers; and next, they were just saying the same things over and over again (vain repetitions).

The misconception, as I fore stated, about THE LORD’S PRAYER is that there are some of us today who think that JESUS intended for us to say this prayer at every setting, which be contradictory to HIS teaching against “vain repetition.” In actuality, JESUS was simply presenting a model or “pattern” for us to follow as we pray. For when HE said in verse 9a, “After this manner pray ye…” HE was giving us the components or element that should be contained in our prayer.

The first component should be one of exaltation or reverence for THE FATHER/ CREATOR (v.9b). In my weakest moments this is sometime accomplished by simply saying “DADDY” because of our personal relationship. The next element should be one of recognizing and accepting THE WILL OF GOD in our lives, whatever it may be, knowing that HE already knows what we have need of before we ask. Further, we should acknowledge that GOD “will supply all of our need according to HIS RICHES IN GLORY,” whatever they might be. Then, there should be the component of the confession of personal sins and the forgiveness of the sins that others have committed against us. And finally, there should be a petition for the FATHER to keep us under HIS WING OF PROTECTION from the tricks and snares of the “evil one” and his demons. Acknowledging the “kingdom, and the power, and the glory” of our REVERENT AND EXALTED FATHER.

3. THE BELIEVERS AND FORGIVENESS (v.14)

 This final verse is an expansion on the concept of forgiveness that JESUS mentioned in the MODEL PRAYER. It is direct and to the point, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your HEAVENLY FATHER will also forgive you.” On the other hand, if we do not forgive those who have sinned against us, then OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN will not forgive us for our sins.

The hardest part of forgiveness that I have encountered in my life has been in getting people to forgive themselves in order to be able to accept forgiveness from others. This is a major stumbling block in the life of believers. We can be so unwilling to forgive ourselves because we feel that GOD will not forgive us for some of the things that we do or have done. However, I’m here to tell you that the GOD that I serve is a GOD OF A SECOND CHANCE. Especially since the Scriptures tell us that when we confess our sins before GOD that “cast our sins in the sea of forgetfulness and remember our sins no more.” This means that every time that we come to GOD, it is just a second chance. For if HE “REMEMBERS OUR SINS NO MORE,” then it is as if the prior sins never existed after GOD THE FATHER has forgiven them. 

This is why GOD THE FATHER APPEARED TO Solomon in 2 Chronicles chapter 7, and said, “I have heard your prayer…If MY people who are called by MY NAME will humble themselves, and pray and seek MY face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and heal their land”(v.14). Thus, if we would simply pray with humility while at the same time seek the face of GOD, renouncing our own personal sins, then and only then will GOD THE FATHER say, “Now MY eyes will be open and MY ears attentive to prayers made in this place” (2 Chronicles 7:15).

THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

Spiritually Yours.

Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr. DD