And it came to pass as Jesus taught his disciples, he said unto them, Take heed that you do not your alms before men to be seen of them; otherwise, you have no reward of your Father who is in Heaven. Therefore, when you do alms, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Truly I say unto you, they have their reward. But when you do alms, let it be unto you as your left hand not knowing what your right hand does, that your alms may be in secret, and your Father who sees in secret himself shall reward you openly.
And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. For truly I say unto you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your closet. And when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly. But when you pray, use not vain repetitions as the hypocrites, for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Therefore, be not like unto them, for your Father knows what things you have need of before you ask him. Therefore, after this manner you shall pray, saying:
Our Father who is in Heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth, as it is done in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them who trespass against us. And suffer us not to be led into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
For if you forgive men their trespasses who trespass against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses.
Moreover, when you fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance, for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Truly I say unto you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that you appear not unto men to fast, but unto your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly. (Matthew 6:1-13)
Here God is expounding behavior that He wants us to do. Behavior that warrants a reward. Do you believe him? When he rewards you, what does that look like? Do you value His reward? I do and want more and invite you to do the same.
I want more of Christ in me. More of His spirit in my heart and mind. I want to be filled with more of His love (charity). I want to please and honor Him. Therefore I do these things that I may receive such rewards.
Have you ever sat down and seriously pondered these verses and how to apply them in your life out of a desire to please your God?
Do you give alms to the poor? Do you do it as anonymously as possible so that the hand receiving doesn't know the hand of the giver? How often do you do so? How do you determine when you should rather than when you shouldn't?
How should you pray? Do you pray in private with real sincerity? What should you be praying for? How often should you pray?
Do you fast? Why do you fast? How do you fast? How often do you fast?
