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Gripped By The Gospel: Matthew 6

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Here are some thoughts on Matthew 6

Giving To The Needy (Matthew 6:1-4)

This could be an example of what seems to be a contradiction. Jesus begins with a warning about not practicing your righteousness before other people.  In chapter 5, Jesus says: "let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works." Is this a contradiction? It is not.

The endings of both statements are needed and they get to the heart motive. There is a way to do God's work that is self-centered and a way that is God-centered. 

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 6:1).

"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). 

In both cases the issue of focus is practicing godliness for others to see, yet one is accepted and one is rejected. The difference is in motive, which takes place in one's heart. God want's nothing to do with the type of godliness that is used and abused for personal recognition. This doesn't do anyone any good.

On the other hand, God is glorified by the person who is in love with God and that love of God leads them to action. In this case, they are motivated by the desire to please God, not bring glory to themselves. 

The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:5-14)

Prayer seems simple enough, yet the disciples of Jesus needed training. My guess is, most Christians need training. For starters, the very first thing on Jesus' agenda in prayer is "Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name." Hallowed is an old fashioned word that means to make holy. Thus, the top priority of Jesus' prayers is for God himself to be regarded as holy in all the earth. 

Honestly, this differs with most of my prayer patterns and the patterns I observe from most Christians. Most prayers are dominated with asking God for things we 1. Want and 2. Need. 

May it be both our greatest want and need to see God's name regarded as holy in all the earth. Just think of how many problems of yours would vanish if that were so.

Do Not Be Anxious (Matthew 6:25-34)

The first word in this section stood out to me today "therefore." This means that what is about to be said is based on what has just been said. In this case, Jesus was teaching his people not to be anxious about your life (especially food and clothes). Jesus does eventually base this on God's sovereign ability to provide, but before he says anything about this he teaches us something interesting that I hadn't seen until today. Here it goes:

Jesus teaches us that we should not be anxious because no one can serve two masters (God and money) see Matthew 6:24. We typically think Jesus is teaching here that we should not be anxious because God provides. He is teaching that, but he is teaching something in addition to that. He is saying something about the nature of anxiety and the direction our heart turns when we become anxious.

In other words, it seems Jesus is saying that there is one of two ways that a person can turn when anxiety about provisions takes our hearts hostage: God or money. If anxiety leads you to money, you will be fully devoted to it and see no need for God because you are looking to money to solve your anxiety issues. On the other hand, if anxiety leads you to God then money loses it's grip to control your soul because God is the one who solves your anxiety issues. It is ultimately up to the individual who they will serve: money, leading to anxiety or God, leading to rest. 

A Prayer

Dear God, may your name be holy in our land. May you rightly be praised with the glory and honor that is due your name. Please start with me. Please guard me from turning to the uncertainties of money to solve my anxieties. Instead, let me worship you by trusting you for everything, even the most basic necessities of life such as food and clothing. Please empower me to trust you in all things and by so doing, remain free from the tyranny of moneys false hopes.

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