Matthew 6 - What You Treasure Matters!

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Review of Chapter 5

In chapter 5, Matthew began Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Some scholars believe that they are the same sermon, while others hold that Jesus frequently preached similar themes in different places. This sermon will go on for three chapters.  In Chapter 5, Matthew Jesus reiterated the Old Testament Law, which the Jewish people would know so well. Importantly he pointed out the difference between "spirit of the Law" and the "letter of the Law". Jesus came to fulfill the law not abolish it. He is the only one who could perfectly keep the Law, which is why we need a Savior because we fall short of always obeying it. The bottom line was the Jews thought by keeping the letter of Law, they would be justified, but they were completely missing the point. 

What Happening in Chapter 6?

In Chapter 6, Jesus confronts the self-righteousness and pride of the Pharisees. He exposes the motive of their good deeds was to get the attention of others. Jesus uses the three examples of prayer, giving to the needy, and fasting. These are all spiritual disciplines which Jesus practiced, so it is not as if he is against them. He is against using them in the wrong way. 

Giving to the Needy

There are many places in the Old and New Testament where we are commanded to take care of people in need like widows and orphans. But what Jesus is against is doing these good deeds to be noticed by others. He uses the metaphor of "playing the trumpet" to announce to the world our good works. 

Today, people do not sound a trumpet to project the image of generosity, but they still know how to call attention to their giving. - Guzik

Importantly, Jesus teaches why giving to be notice oneself is actually quite foolish. Why? Because even if people notice and give you recognition, you have received your reward in full. It's done. It's over. But when we give in secret there is someone more important who sees us. That someone is God. The reward of pleasing our Father is much better than a temporary "pat on the back". 

Finally, Jesus gives us a strategy for doing it. He tells us not to let our left hand know what are right hand is doing. How do we do that? Obviously he is not speaking literally, but what I think he means is that we need to figure out ways to keep our giving in secret. When we are giving because it is what Jesus would do if he were us, we hardly even see it. We don't the applause of others.  We are just grateful to be used by him to help someone else. 

Prayer

Similarly the religious leaders loved being noticed by others when they prayed their long and wordy prayers. They not only loved to pray in the synagogues, but also out in public. They prayed so others might think they were qualified to be the religious experts. 

But, Jesus teaches that when we pray, we should find a secret place to pray to our Father, who sees what is done in secret. First and foremost prayer is our speaking to God. Sometimes we pray with others. Sometimes we pray in church. Sometimes we will be led to pray for someone in public. But the bottom line is we are praying to God led by the Holy Spirit, not to draw attention to ourselves. 

Jesus gives us a strategy if we are inclined to practice "showy and long winded" prayers. He says to go to your room, close your door, and pray to Your Father, who sees what is done in secret. The reward will be much better.  The reward is a special conversation and connection with God. When we pray with others, we enjoy that special connection and fellowship of the Holy Spirit with them. 

Lord's Prayer 

Jesus not only taught them how to pray, but also what to pray. Notice how simple this prayer is. This reminds us that we do not need to be long winded in our prayers. Or, think God will really hear us if we use more words. 

Jesus gives the disciples (and us) six short petitions to use when we pray. 

"Our Father, who Art in Heaven." We begin by addressing God as our Father. This shows that prayer is speaking to our heavenly Father. God loves us as a perfect father. Our relationship with God is one of intimacy, but we also acknowledge God is our heavenly Father. He is not of this world. 

"Hallowed be Your Name." Though we have a close and personal relationship with the Father, he is more than just a "good buddy". He is holy. He is not like anything in this world. We don't take his name in vain, but reverently come before Him acknowledging Him for who He really is. We need to remember we are speaking with the Lord God Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth!

"Your kingdom come, your will be done. on earth as it is in heaven." These two go together. When God's kingdom comes, His will IS done. God's kingdom comes when He reigns over whatever is happening. God's kingdom comes when we are living according to His will in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Martin Luther said in the Small Catechism, "God's kingdom will surely come, but our prayer is that it come will come through us!" 

When we see what is happening in our world because God is not reigning over much anymore.  We only need to watch the news to see God's reign is limited. We need to pray that we will have opportunity to bring in and demonstrate His kingdom on earth as it would be in heaven. We can have a kingdom impact in this world, when we pray for it to happen, and then cooperate with God in making it happen. 

"Give us this day our daily bread." Here we ask God to meet our needs not our wants. Daily bread represents things like food, shelter, safety, relationships, and being to contribute to the betterment of our world in our occupations and hobbies. Note all of these things come from God's hand, but they preclude the responsibility we bear to do our part. 

Remember the apostle Paul said, "If you don't work you don't eat", in 2 Thessalonians 3:10.  We should seek things like gainful employment, saving our money, and doing our part to maintain healthy relationships. 

“The prayer is for our needs, not our greeds. It is for one day at a time, reflecting the precarious lifestyle of many first-century workers who were paid one day at a time and for whom a few days’ illness could spell tragedy.” (Carson)

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

God already has forgiven us all our debts in Jesus. Jesus paid a debt he didn't owe, for we how owed a debt we couldn't pay. But we still ask for forgiveness on a daily basis to remind us of what Jesus has done for us. It also constantly reminds us when we are tempted to be unforgiving toward others or hold on to resentments toward them. 

Notice forgiving others isn't optional. The presupposition Jesus makes is that as we fully understand the range and scope of our own forgiveness, we will have no reason to withhold it from someone else. We know the forgiveness keeps us emotionally healthy. To hold on to resentment is very toxic to our emotions, and often comes out toward the person or others is passive and aggressive ways. 

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." Notice the connection between temptation and the devil. The devil will tempt us, but God will deliver us IF we ask for it. We will never avoid being tempted in our daily life, but we can stand up against it. Jesus has delivered us from sin, death, and the power of the devil on the cross, but we will still fight our sinful nature until we die. See Ephesians 6. 

You might ask why the words, "For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory" are not included in Jesus' prayer. In some bible translations you will see it added. 

In some later manuscripts, "For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." is added. Generally when there are conflicting copies/manuscripts of the bible, the shorter version is preferred, as something is more likely to have been added then subtracted. 

If you would like to learn more about this ending of the Lord's Prayer click on this link

Fasting

In a similar manner as the previous spiritual disciplines, Jesus teaches the same concept as it relates to fasting. Fasting was a discipline that Jesus himself used when he spent 40 days in the wilderness preparing for his earthly ministry. Fasting is simply giving up something like food in order to focus on your relationship with God. It attenuates our senses to what God provides versus what the world provides. 

When we are fasting we might be tempted to tell everyone about it so they will know how devoted we are to God. We will make a big deal about not eating or try to explain why we are looking so "haggard". But Jesus gives us very practical advice. He tells them to put oil on their face and to wash it. 

The hypocritical scribes and Pharisees wanted to make sure that everybody knew they were fasting, so they would have a sad countenance and disfigure their faces so their agony of fasting would be evident to all. In contrast, Jesus instructed us to take care of ourselves as usual and to make the fast something of a secret before God. (Guzik)

“Oil does not here symbolize extravagant joy but normal body care.” (Carson)

Note you can fast from other things other than food. I.e. (alcohol, the internet, fast food, caffeine, spending money frivolously, or whatever has a grip on you!)

Treasures in Heaven

Jesus here warns us against developing a dependence on money and material things. So many people have had to learn the hard way that when they put their trust in riches or fame, they can be taken away in a heartbeat. Jesus is not saying having money is bad, but the love and attachment to money is a trap. 

“The Master does not say it is wrong to possess earthly treasure. He does say it is wrong to lay it up for self. We are to hold it as stewards.” (Morgan) 

As opposed to hoarding our wealth for ourselves, we are urged to invest in things that will last. When we invest our resources for things that glorify  and matter to God, when we get to heaven we will receive a treasure that will never fade away.  

Jesus says something profound, 

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Where is your treasure? How might you be able to evaluate this question? One way is what we talk about at what we often call "Stewardship" time. Stewardship is how do we manage the gifts God has given us. Traditionally we refer to them as our "time" "talents" and "treasures". These are great measures of what are our heart really treasures! 

When you look at your calendar what treasure does it point to?

When you look at how you use your unique talents, do you use them for God's glory and to help the church to grow? 

When you look at you finances, how much do set aside for God's work and His church? Are you a generous person?

As you think about these three questions, it might give you a look at what your true treasure is. 

Do Not Worry

Finally, Jesus gets to something we can all relate to ... worry! I come from a family of worriers so I can identify with Jesus' admonition to not worry! The joke in our family was, "If we didn't have something to worry about, we would be worried about that!"

But if Jesus commands us not to worry, in a sense we sin when we do. Worry is basically a fear that something bad is going to happen to us. We worry about our health because we see all kinds of fatal diseases out there. We worry about money, because we don't want to end up on the streets. We worry about our kids, because God forbid something would happen to them. We worry about our parents because they are losing their ability to manage their lives. 

But at the heart of worry is a lack of trust in God to give us what we really need. Jesus points to the lilies of the valley and the birds of the air and reasons that if God cares for them, why would he not care for the crown of His creation ... you and me1 

Jesus finishes with a verse we should all put to memory, 

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Worrying is closely associated with what we think about and focus on. When we are always focused on ourselves, we are more likely to be worried. But Jesus tells us to seek FIRST his kingdom and His righteousness. When are focused on God's kingdom, aka "Where God is ruling and reigning", we take our eyes off of ourselves. We get so caught up in what God is doing in and through us that we forget to worry about all these things God already knows we need. 

Someone has said, "We become what we think about most!" This is why I am glad you and I are reading through God's Word together this year. God's Word always brings us back to what God wants for us in our lives. "Rather than being conformed to this world, we are transformed by the renewing of our mind." Romans 12:2

What's Coming Up in Matthew 7

Jesus finishes he Sermon on the Mount with key teachings regarding what life in God's kingdom looks like and how we can be a part of it. He will talk about the "narrow" and "wide" gates. The progressive nature of how we pray.  The difference between true and false teaching. The difference true and false disciples. See you tomorrow!