Giving… vs. 1-4

• 1^st – Relationship with God…
  • Having established how to become a Citizen of the Kingdom [we are NOT good]
  • Jesus is going to move on and define how to LIVE as a CITIZEN…
  • FIRST – He will tell us how we are to RELATE to God…
  • He will do so by addressing SIX areas: Giving – Prayer – Forgiving – Fasting – Treasures – Worry!
• 2^nd – Heart Check… vs. 1
  • Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men – to be seen by them. 
  • Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven!
  • Take heed [προσέχω] – we might say PAY attention [imperative]
  • Because Jesus is going to give a CONTRAST – a way to CHECK our heart…
  • When we are do CHARITY – from [ἔλεος] MERCY: giving to poor – helping those in need…
  • Do NOT [μὴ] give so that we can be SEEN my men…
  • Because if we do – then we will NEVER [οὐ] get a reward from our Father in Heaven!
  • While it is a GOOD thing to have MERCY [ἔλεος] on those who are less fortunate…
  • We must make sure we GIVE with the right MOTIVE…
  • Because WHY we do something reveals WHO we want to SERVE…
  • If we focused on pleasing MEN – then we are NOT living our lives to please GOD!
  • Galatians 1:10 – “If I still please men – I [am] not be a bondservant of Christ.”
• 3^rd – Reward of Men… vs. 2
  • The Tithe…
    • Therefore – when you do a charitable deed!
    • When you give [subjunctive] – this is NOT a command…
    • We often hear about TITHES in church – from Hebrew word for a tenth [עֶשֶׂר]
    • According to the LAW there were THREE different TITHES…
    • The Levitical tithe – to provide for those who served the Lord – Numbers 18:21-24
    • The Harvest tithe – to be given to the Lord – Deuteronomy 14:22-26
    • The Poor tithe – which was only once every THREE years – Deuteronomy 14:28-29
    • I am always amused by those who teach giving 10% to the church [it should be 23%]
    • People take this LAW from the OT and teach it like it belongs in the NT…
    • But the LAW is NOT a buffet – we cannot pick and choose what we like!
  • Not Required…
    • People GIVE out of a sense of obligation – but do NOT want to…
    • It may even be taught that if we do not GIVE – God will NOT bless us…
    • As if we do not GIVE to the church – we are stealing from God – Malachi 3:8
    • But the NT says whatever we GIVE – we are to do it with a HAPPY heart…
    • If we GIVE out of obligation – it counts for nothing – God does NOT want it!
    • II Corinthians 9:7 – “Let each one give as he purposes in his heart – not grudgingly or of necessity. For God loves a cheerful giver.”
  • Hypocrites…
    • Do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and the streets…
    • That they may have glory from men!
    • If we GIVE – we are NOT [μὴ] to sound a TRUMPET [make a lot of noise]
    • Like the HYPOCRITES [ὑποκριτής] – to be TWO faced!
    • It was common in Jesus day for men to actually ANNOUNCE their GIFTS…
    • They would blow TRUMPETS in the church [συναγωγή] and on the streets…
    • They wanted EVERYONE to SEE how generous they were – GLORY of men [subjunctive]
    • It reminds me of politicians who GIVE [tax money] – with their name plastered on the GIFT…
    • Or GIFTS to a church – with the name of the GIVER posted for all to see!
  • Earthly Reward…
    • AMEN – I say to you – they have their reward!
    • [ἀμήν] – Jesus assured His disciples – anyone who GIVES only to be seen by men…
    • Has their REWARD – God is NOT impressed by their SELFISH motivation!
    • Jesus was in the Temple – watching as people gave their money – Mark 12:42-44
    • There were many there who were RICH – who put in a LOT of money [with trumpets]
    • But there was a poor widow who only put in TWO mites [not even a peso]
    • Jesus called the disciples and told them – she gave MORE than all the rich put together…
    • The rich gave out of their ABUNDANCE – but she gave ALL she had!
    • Giving to God is not about MONEY – God does NOT need anything…
    • Giving is not about the QUANTITY – giving a lot means NOTHING if it costs us nothing…
    • Giving is about SACRIFICE – giving from the heart – showing our LOVE for God!
• 4^th – Reward of God… vs. 3-4
  • In Secret… vs. 3-4
    • When we do a charitable deed do not let our left hand know what our right hand is doing.
    • That our charitable deed may be in secret!
    • When we GIVE – we must NOT [imperative] let our left hand know what our right is doing…
    • In other words – we need to give in SECRET for ONLY God to see!
    • King Jehoash took a wooden box – with a hole cut into the top – II Kings 12:9
    • He set it on the side as people came into the house of the Lord…
    • The purpose of the box – let the people give anonymously to the Lord!
    • When a church passes an offering plate people tend to make a SHOW of their gift…
    • But they are NOT giving to God – they are giving for the recognition of MEN…
    • Jesus says – they have their reward – the temporary praises of others…
    • That is why we have a BOX – and do NOT pass an offering plate – give anonymously!
      
  • Heavenly Reward…
    • Your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly!
    • Those who GIVE in secret – will be REWARDED [future] openly!
    • That does NOT mean that God will make us RICH…
    • God is not an ATM – put in our DEPOSIT – and out comes more MONEY!
    • We do NOT give – so that we can RECEIVE – we give in SECRET to show our HEART…
    • We are NOT looking for an EARTHLY reward…
    • We want our FATHER in heaven to SEE that we want to please Him…
    • And when we do – He will [future] reward us OPENLY – when we get to Heaven!

• 2 – Prayer… vs. 5-13
  • 1^st – Reward of Men… vs. 5
    • Not Required…
      • When you pray!
      • PRAY [προσεύχομαι] – to give our wish or request to God…
      • But this is NOT a command – it is a CHOICE [subjunctive]!
      • Too often PRAYER is treated as a ritual – part of what God expects a Christian to do…
      • As if somehow a few recited words to God – once or twice a day – is enough…
      • But rarely do people take the time in prayer to LISTEN – have a CONVERSATION!
      • Prayer is how we COMMUNICATE with our Father in heaven…
      • How we have a RELATIONSHIP with God – if we NEVER take time to talk to Him…
      • Telling Him about our day – getting to KNOW the God who created us…
      • Taking the time to listening to His WILL and PLAN for our lives!
    • Hypocrites…
      • You shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues…
      • And on the corners of the streets that they may be seen by men! 
      • If we PRAY – we are NOT [μὴ] to pray in the open for everyone to SEE…
      • Like the HYPOCRITES [ὑποκριτής] – to be TWO faced!
      • It was common in Jesus day for men to make PUBLIC prayers…
      • They would STAND up to pray in church [συναγωγή] – and on the streets…
      • They LOVED [φιλέω] to have everyone SEE how spiritual they were!
      • There is nothing wrong with having a GROUP conversation with God…
      • But we need to watch the motive of our heart – do not pray to IMPRESS others…
      • People who use BIG words – tremble their voice – to sound more spiritual…
      • God is NOT impressed – at best they are acting like a fool and embarrassing themselves…
      • Prayer should be NATURAL – a simple conversation with God – no matter who is there!
    • Earthly Reward…
      • AMEN – I say to you – they have their reward!
      • [ἀμήν] – Jesus assured His disciples – anyone who PRAYS only to be seen by men…
      • Has their REWARD – God is NOT impressed by their SELF righteous act!
      • Many of the LEADERS in Israel believed Jesus was the Messiah – John 12:43
      • But they would not CONFESS him – because they LOVED [ἀγαπάω] the praises of Men!
      • The problem with LOVING the praises of MEN – is it means we put them ahead of God…
      • And we will NOT stand up for Jesus – because we LOVE something else more than Him!
  • 2^nd – Reward of God … vs. 6
    • In Secret…
      • You – when you pray – go into your room – and when you have shut your door.
      • Pray to your Father who is in the secret place!
      • If [subjunctive] we PRAY – we must [imperative] go into our room and shut the door…
      • In other words – we need to PRAY in SECRET to our Father who we CANNOT see!
      • We are called to PRAY continually – I Thessalonians 5:17
      • We obviously cannot literally lock ourselves up in a room ALL day long…
      • What this means is we are to PRAY in a way that is NOT obvious [seen by men]
      • Quietly talking to our FATHER in heaven as we go about our day!
    • Heavenly Reward…
      • Your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly!
      • Those who PRAY in secret – will be REWARDED [future] openly!
      • The REWARD for PRAYER – is a RELATIONSHIP with our God…
      • We get to have instant access to the CREATION of Heaven and Earth!
      • Hebrews 4:16 – “Come boldly to the throne of grace… and find grace to help in time of need.”
  • 3^rd – Why Pray… vs. 7-8
    • No Repetition… vs. 7
      • When you pray – do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. 
      • For they think that they will be heard for their many words!
      • When we are PRAYING [participle] – we are NOT [μή] to use REPETITION…
      • Unbelievers [ἔθνος] use repetition – thinking God will listen if they use LOTS of words!
      • It is NOT wrong to REPEAT prayer – Jesus asked 3x to take the cross – Matthew 26:44
      • Or asking for the same thing more than once – Parable of the persistent widow – Luke 18:1-8
      • But the idea of SCRIPTED prayers is just silly – that is a SPEECH – not a PRAYER!
      • If someone came up to us the same time every day and said the same thing…
      • Never any variation – never waiting around for a reply – there would be NO relationship…
      • In the same way – when we simply repeat ourselves out of habit – there is no communication…
      • We must be careful not to make prayer a RITUAL – rather than a CONVERSATION!
    • God Knows… vs.  8
      • Therefore do not be like them. 
      • For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him!
      • Do NOT [μὴ] be like UNBELIEVERS – thinking we need to let God know what we NEED…
      • Because our Father SEES [perfect] what we NEED – before we even ASK!
      • STOP right there – this is a PROFOUND statement…
      • The world think the REASON for PRAYER – is to let God know what we NEED…
      • They think that because they do NOT know God – so He does NOT answer them…
      • And they use REPETITION – many words – to try and get His attention!
      • But our Father already SEES [εἴδω] what we need…
      • God is ETERNAL – He is outside of TIME – He saw our NEED before – Genesis 1:1
      • So if we do NOT pray to give God information [what we need] – WHY do we pray!
  • 4^th – How to Prayer… vs. 9-13
    • Example… vs. 9
      • In this manner – therefore pray!
      • Since we are NOT to pray REPETITIVELY – because God knows what we NEED…
      • Jesus gives the PATTERN [manner] we should use in PRAYER [imperative]!
      • Ironically – this PRAYER has been abused over the years as a REPETITIVE prayer…
      • But it is meant be an example of HOW to PRAY – we call it the LORDS prayer…
      • Though it would be better called the MODEL prayer…
      • The LORDS prayer can be found in the book of John – John 17
        
    • Who to pray to… vs. 9
      • Our Father in heaven – Hallowed be Your name!
      • FIRST – Jesus opens the MODEL prayer by addressing to our Father…
      • Recognizing His name is HOLY [ἁγιάζω] – the NAME of the LORD [יְהוָה]
      • If we put in an incorrect email address – cell number – it does not end up where we want…
      • Yet a lot of people try praying to the WRONG address [Saints – Mary]
      • There is only ONE mediator – and that is Jesus – I Timothy 2:5
      • Through Him we direct our prayer toward our Father in Heaven…
      • And we PRAY in the Holy Spirit – I Corinthians 14:15
      • We pray to the Father – through the Son – in the Spirit – because they are one!
    • What to pray for… vs. 10
      • Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!
      • SECOND – Jesus tell us we must PRAY [imperative] for God to bring His Kingdom…
      • This is not talking about the RETURN of Jesus – this is about our hearts – Luke 17:21
      • We are PRAYING [imperative] for the WILL of God to be done in our lives [on earth]!
      • When we PRAY – our perspective changes – we see our circumstances in a new light…
      • We no longer SEE our problems – instead we SEE God who is GREATER than any problem…
      • PRAYER is not about changing the mind of God – telling Him what we NEED…
      • PRAYER is about God changing our mind – getting us to see His Will!
      • Philippians 4:6 – “Do not worry about anything. Instead – pray about everything…”
    • What we need… vs. 11-12
      • Give us this day our daily bread – and forgive us our debts!
      • THIRD – Jesus tell us there are two NEEDS we PRAY for God to give [imperative] to us …
      • FIRST – our DAILY [2x in NT] bread – what we NEED to physically LIVE…
      • SECOND – our DEBTS [sins] forgiven – what we NEED to spiritually LIVE!
      • We might have a LONG list of what we THINK we NEED – but the list is quite SHORT…
      • We need FOOD to live – and most important – we NEED to be forgiven of our SINS…
      • Anything more than that is not a NEED – it is just our WANTS!
    • What we must do… vs. 12
      • As we forgive our debtors!
      • FOURTH – Our responsibility in PRAYER – is to always [present] FORGIVE [indicative]
      • FORGIVE [ἀφίημι] – to cast something far away from us…
      • To be FORGIVEN – we must FORGIVE those who are in DEBT [sin] to us!
      • Luke 17:4 – “Even if [someone] wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness – forgive [them].”
      • When we are hurt by someone – and refuse to forgive – we are DISOBEYING God…
      • Now not only do we have a DAMAGED relationship with the person who sinned…
      • But we also have a DAMAGED relationship with the Lord…
      • With unforgiveness in our hearts – God will NOT hear our prayers – Mark 11:25
    • What God does… vs. 13
      • Do not lead us into trials – but deliver us from the evil!
      • FIFTH – We can ask God to please NOT [μή] lead [subjunctive] us into TRIALS…
      • TRIALS [πειρασμός] can alternately be translated as TEMPTATION…
      • How can we tell the difference between a TRIAL or a TEMPTATION…
      • A TEMPTATION does NOT come from God – James 1:13
      • A TRIAL is FROM God – something He uses to TEST us – James 1:2-3
      • But even if God does allow a TRIAL – we know He can RESCUE us from EVIL [the trial]!
      • Silver is refined by putting it into the heat of an intense fire…
      • The fire draws out the impurities of the silver so they can be removed…
      • The smith knows the silver is pure when he can see his reflection!
      • Jesus put us in TRIALS to TEST our FAITH – draw out the impurities from our life [sin]
      • He knows when we are done – because He sees His reflection in our lives…
      • We want God to use us – we want to draw closer to the Lord…
      • But often we will find before God a work THROUGH us – He first does one IN us…
      • Do not be surprised if we ask God to use us- only to find we are in a trial…
      • God uses it to PREPARE us – mold us – shape us – into Godly men and women!
      • I Peter 4:12 – “Do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you…”
    • How to Close… vs. 13
      • For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen!
      • FINALLY – we close our prayer with a recognition of WHO God is…
      • He is [present] the one who is owns EVERYTHING – the KINGDOM…
      • He has [present] all the POWER [δύναμις] – He is SOVEREIGN – Ephesians 1:11
      • He is always [present] the one who deserves all the GLORY [δόξα]
      • Not just TODAY – but ALWAYS [αἰών]!
      • Did you ever wonder why we put our hands together in PRAYER…
      • With hands outstretched – fingers interlocked – we are defenseless…
      • We are coming to God in SURRENDER – recognizing His AUTHORITY…

Saying to Him – whatever He wants to do – AMEN [ἀμήν]!