[:en]SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 6
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14)
“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:20-21)
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money” (Matthew 6:24)
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:33-34)
GIVING TO THE NEEDY (vs. 1-4)
Give to the needy in secret. Do not do it to show to people. Otherwise, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
PRAYER (vs. 5-15)
Do not pray like the hypocrites to be seen by men. When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans. Pray secretly in your room.
This is how you pray: (vs. 9-13)
“Our Father in heaven – Relationship
Hallowed be Your name – Adoration & Praise
Your kingdom come – God’s sovereignty
Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven – Obedience
Give us today our daily bread – Request
Forgive us our debts – Confession
as we also have forgiven our debtors – Forgiveness
And lead us not into temptation – Guidance
but deliver us from the evil one – Protection
FASTING (vs. 16-28)
When you fast, do not show to people with disfigured faces. Instead, put oil in your face and wash your face. Fast without letting people notice it and you will be rewarded.
TREASURES IN HEAVEN (vs. 19-24)
Treasures in earth will be destroyed by moth and rust, or stolen by thieves. Only treasures in heaven will last. The eye is the lamp of the body. Keep it good to shine like light. We cannot seve two masters. Our master should be God not money.
DO NOT WORRY (vs. 25-34)
Birds on the air do not sow or reap or store in barns. But the heavenly Father feeds them. You are more valuable than they are. So do not worry because worrying can never add a single hour to your life. Do not worry about clothes. Look at the lilies and grass of the field. They do not labor or spin, yet God clothes and grow them. So, do not worry what to eat, to drink or to wear. For your heavenly Father knows what you need. He will supply your needs if you seek His kingdom and His righteousness first. “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (vs. 34)
REFLECTION:
- Do you give to the needy in secret or do you desire to be recognized in public? If you receive praise from people, you lost the eternal reward.
- How do you pray? Jesus has given us the pattern of “Lord’s prayer” for us to follow.
- Are you fasting for men to be noticed?
- Do you store up treasures in heaven? Or are you keeping them on earth to be rusted or stolen?
- Are you worrying about food or clothing? If God supplies the needs of the birds in air and the lilies and grass of the field, He will surely provide your needs if you seek His kingdom and righteousness first. Do not live for things and possessions. Live with those that have eternal values.
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