Giving to the Needy, Prayer and Fasting
Giving to the Needy, Prayer and Fasting
Based on a study prepared by the Dubbo Baptist Church in Autumn 2015.
Objective: To aid in understanding giving to the poor, prayer and fasting
Share how people have given to you (can keep names anonymous)
Matthew 6:1 - 18
Giving to the Needy, Prayer and Fasting
6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
This refers to the actions of righteousness in life - outpourings of gracious nature, which Jesus later refers to in John 15:8.[1]
John 15:8: 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Be careful not to practice in front of others - This principle doesn't contradict Jesus' previous command let your light shine before others (Matthew 5:16). We are to be seen doing good works. We must not do good works simply to be seen.
If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven - If we do righteous deeds for the attention and praise of men, that attention and praise is our reward. It is much better to receive a reward from God in heaven.[2]
Matthew 5:16 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
We are to have little or no thought of what man may say concerning our gifts.[3]
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
As the hypocrites do - Hypocrite - one who acts a part; denoting one who either pretends to be what they are not (as here), or dissembles what they really are (Luke 12:1, 2).[4]
... Luke 12: 1, 2 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be[a][5] on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.
3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
The complete opposite of making a display of it. He's saying not to dwell on it even in thought, for such dwelling may give rise to pride.[6]
In many cases, charity must be hidden from relatives who may hinder us from doing what God has called us to do.[7]
4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
We have to be careful in how we act. We should not want others to praise us.
The Jews taught that to give to the poor was a special duty. One that they did for God. Jesus said that his disciples should continue with this, but that their giving should be in secret, and that they were not to get prideful about it. An example of what not to do - some Jews announced their giving, as with a trumpet. They would get praise from others. But they won't get a reward from God. In addition he doesn't want us to praise ourselves for the giving. God knows our motivations and how they direct our actions. His rewards will reflect this.[8]
So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets - It was the custom in Jesus' day to draw attention to giving, so the person would be known as generous. People may not sound a trumpet, but they still know how how to call attention to their giving.[9]
There actually aren't very many examples of people announcing giving with trumpets. What Jesus may have being pointing to was the giving during feast times, which were signalled by a blast of a trumpet.
As the hypocrites do - having a double standard, in addition to the above.
Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. - There will be no reward in heaven for those who did it for the motive of a reward on Earth.
do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,- So we can deny ourselves any indulgent self-congratulation. Spurgeon noted “Let God be present, and you will have enough of an audience.”
so that your giving may be in secret - The issue is motive. If we give for God's glory, it doesn't matter who finds out. The reward will remain.
Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. - It is much better to receive our reward from God, who gives much more generously than men do.
Remember, God sees into the heart. Not only the act, but also every motive that led to it.[10]
Will reward you - Will give you the fullest proofs of His acceptance of your work of faith and labour of love, by increasing your wealth, which you shall share with the poor and increase His love in your own heart and the witness of His Spirit.[11]
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
And when you pray - An outpouring of the soul to God, done out of free will, and desire to know and serve Him alone. One who comes to God in that way will ever be heard and blessed, and be dependent on Him.
It is the soul's sincere desire.[12]
6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites - Jesus assumed that His disciples would give, so He told them the right way to give. He also assumed that His disciples would pray. It was important that they would not pray in the same manner as the hypocrites.
For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners - These would be the main places where a Jew in Jesus' day would pray in a hypocritical manner. They would pray at the synagogue at the time of public prayer or on the street at the appointed times of prayer.
To be seen by others - These hypocrites prayed not to be heard by God, but to be seen by others. This is also a common fault in public prayer today, when people pray to impress or teach others instead of genuinely pouring out their hearts before God.
These prayers are an insult to God, to be used as s tool to impress others.
They have received their reward - there is no reward in Heaven for such prayers.
But when you pray, go into your room - The idea is of a private place where we can impress no one except God.
The specific Greek word 'room' was used for a storeroom where treasures were kept. We are reminded that there are treasures waiting for us in our prayer closet.
Jesus certainly didn't prohbit public prayer, but our prayers should always be directe towards God. Not towards man.[13]
Will reward you - How great it is that God rewards earnest prayer! [14]
7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not keep on babbling - Prayer requires more of the heart rather than of the tongue. Fervency of desire, not fine thoughts, studied and vehment motions or polite expressions, is what God wants in our prayers.[15]
8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
When you pray, do not keep on babbling - The right kind of prayer does not use vain repetitions, which is any prayer that is mostly words and no meaning.
It also has to be to the right God. (1 Kings 18:26 - the prophets of Baal cried out to that false god for half the day. Acts 19:34 - A mob in Ephesus shouted to Artemis for two hours.) The true God is not impressed by the eloquence or length of our prayers, but by the heart.
When we try to impress God (or other people) with our many words, we deny that God is a loving yet holy, Father. We should follow the counsel of Ecclesiastes 5:2.
Babbling - Gr. Battalogeo, a word that sounds like 'babbling' and has the sense of 'blah-blah-blah'.[16]
Your Father knows what you need - Prayer is also meant to humble the heart of the speaker, also to inflame his/her faith, to give them hope and to remind them that their home is in heaven, with God.[17]
... 1 Kings 18:26 26 So they took the bull given them and prepared it.
Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.
... Acts 19:34 But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
Ecclesiastes 5:2 Do not be quick with your mouth,
do not be hasty in your heart
to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
and you are on earth,
so let your words be few.
... God is in heaven and you are on earth- A statement of perspective, not distance.
... God alone hears the inaudible, that's why we need to be calm and quiet.
... God is not a 'buddy next door' or the 'big man upstairs'. He is infinite, eternal and unchangable God who is full of wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth. He is a caring Father, but he is always more than that. He expects us to take Him seriously as the chief authority in our lives.[18]
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
This, then, is how you should pray - The Jews had many different forms of prayer. Jesus gave this prayer to show us a way to not pray in vain.
Our Father - Reflects the tender and respectful love we should feel for God, comparable to that which children feel for the father's.
In heaven - Reflects; His Omnipresence, His Majesty and Dominion, His Power and Might and His infinite Purity and Holiness.
Hallowed - Something separated from earthly things, consecrated, used entirely in the service of God, exaulting Him above all things.[19]
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a][20]
but deliver us from the evil one.[b] [21]
Our Father in heaven - The right kind of prayer comes to God as a Father in heaven. This recognises to Whom we pray to, with a privileged title that demonstrates a privileged relationship. It was unusual for the Jews in that time to call God 'Father' because they considered it too intimate.
True, God is the mighty sovereign of the universe, but he is also a Father to us.
He may be our Father, but he is our Father in heaven. By saying 'in heaven' we remember His holiness and glory.
This prayer focuses on community. Jesus said 'our Father' not 'My Father'. The prayer is social; man enters the presence of the Father, and prays as one of the great family.
Hallowed be Your name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven - The right kind of prayer has a passion for God's glory and His plan. The priorities are His Name, Kingdom and Will.
Everyone wishes to guard their own name and reputation. But we must resist the tendency to put ourselves first and put God's Name, Kingdom and Will first instead.
In heaven there is no disobedience and no obstacles to God's will. What a contrast to the situation on Earth!
'Your will be done' can be said in different ways. It could be said with fatalism and resentment. “You will do your will and there is nothing I can do about it anyway. Your will wins, but I don't like it.” Or it could be said this way, in a heart and perfect love and trust. “Do your will, because I know it is the best. Change me where I don't understand or accept Your will.”
God is more than able to do His will without our prayer or cooperation, yet He extends an invitation for our prayers, heart and actions in seeing it be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debters. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one - The right kind of prayer will freely bring its own needs to God. These needs include daily provision, forgiveness and strength in the face of temptation.
Bread - real bread, in the sense of daily provisions. God cares about everyday things, we should pray about them.
The prayer is about needs not greeds. It is for one day at a time. This reflects the precarious lifestyle of many first century workers who were paid one day at a time.
One who is truly forgiven will show forgiveness to others.
Temptation - a test, not always an offering or persuasion to do evil. God has promised to keep us from any testing that is greater than what we can handle. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
While God doesn't 'tempt' people to do evil he does allow His children to pass through periods of testing. However, we shouldn't desire such testing, but should pray to be spared such exposure.
We shouldn't pray 'Lead us not into temptation' and go into a tempting situation. Then we would be lying to God! If we truly pray this, it'll be lived out in several ways: Never boast in your own strength, never desire trials, never go into, or lead others into, temptation.[22]
... 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[b] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[c][23] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
An example of a person praying to oneself (or to Man) - the Pharisee in Luke 18:9 - 14.
God knows what we need, we don't need to persuade Him to answer us! We can repeat prayers, but we shouldn't repeat the words without really thinking about them. We need to really mean those words!
The model prayer was an answer to the disciples' request to learn how to pray.
'Our Father in Heaven' - Gr. Abba - a special word for 'Father' - This reminds us that God loves us as children. He combines perfect love with perfect discipline. 'Our' - This reminds us that we are part of God's family, and that we should think of others as we pray.
Pray that His Kingdom expands on Earth, that more people shall hear the Word, and that they may be saved.
We pray that God protects us in the situations that test us.
We need forgiveness, Jesus has died so that we can be forgiven. But we also need to forgive others, otherwise He won't forgive us.[24]
... Luke 18:9 - 14 9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people - robbers, evildoers, adulterers - or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
...13 But the tax collector stood at a distance. He did would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God have mercy on me, a sinner.'
... 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
...16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
There was only one time in the Jewish calendar that Jews had to fast - the Day of Atonement. But Jews in Jesus' day did choose to fast at other times. It was a sign that the Jews didn't want to do wrong things. Sometimes the whole nation fasted when the people realized that they hadn't obeyed God. (e.g. 1 Samuel 7:6).
Jews that fasted and looked untidy, pale and miserable, did so to get the notice of others. Jesus said that they had gained their reward.
It was clear to Jesus that people would choose to fast. It can be a valuable way to prepare yourself and wait for God to reveal His plan. The Christians in Antioch fasted and prayed before they sent Barnabas and Saul on their missiomary journey (Acts 13:2, 3). Jesus Himself fasted while in the desert.[25]
Old Testament commands for the Day of Atonement: Leviticus 16: 29 - 31, Leviticus 23: 27 - 32 amd Numbers 29:7[26]
1 Do you think 'your reward' is just in heaven or could it be here and now?
2 What might 'your reward' be?
Mark 12:41 - 44
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on.”
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury - The sight of the widow must have been a welcome sight to Jesus, Who had endured a wearying storm of questions from His enemies.
The line at the offering box and the pride shown by the rich men in their giving shows that it isn't necessarily more spiritual to have an offering box instead of passing along offering bags. Not a matter of right or wrong, but a matter of which is an easier way to give in a way which doesn't call attention to your gifts.
Watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury - Jesus looks as we give and notices how we give. He is more interested in how than in how much. Jesus isn't interested in technique. He is interested in motive and heart.
Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small coins- Jesus noticed a long line of rich people who put in a lot of money, possibly making some kind of display to draw attention to their giving. The poor widow was different and offered two small coins, all that she had.
The coins weren't worth much at all.
Worth only a few cents - She gave all that she had. She might have given only one coin and kept the other, but she gave all she had.
This poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others - He didn't say that she had put in more money than any one of them. He said that she put in more than all of them put together.
They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on - The others gave out of their abundance, but the widow gave sacrificially.
Before God, the spirit of giving determines the value of the gift rather than the amout. God doesn't want money that is grudgingly or guiltily given. He loves the cheerful giver.
The value of the gift is determined by what it costs the giver. (e.g. David refused to give to God that which cost him nothing. 2 Samuel 24:24)
It is our privlege to give to God. We need to give because it is good for us, not because it's good for Him.
Out of her poverty - She was a widow, and had no husband to support her.[27]
... 2 Samuel 24:24 24 But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels[a][28] of silver.
3 What are you willing to give up? Cars? House? Full time work? Hobbies? Income? Spare Time?
4 If God already knows what we need, then why should we ask?
5 When you pray “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done”, do your actions show this attitude?
6 How much to you really trust God to provide for you?
7 How can you trust Him more?
8 Could “our daily bread” be figurative for more than just physical food?
9 Is there someone you need to forgive?
Aussie Bible, Page 32-33
“Be a real Cobber to everyone, even the crooks and whingers, and open your wallet even for the dead beats. Then you'll be show a sort of family resemblence to God, and there's a pay off in that. Be open-handed, just like God's open handed”
Jesus said, “Don't go around running people down, or the same thing'll happen to you. Forgive and forget when someone messes you about --- then God will forgive and forget when you mess Him about. Don't be stingy with anything you do for others --- because those things boomerang.”
10 What is the importance of fasting? Could it be helpful to fast from things other than food?
11 What are the similarities between giving, praying and fasting from these verses?
12 In light of these things, what will you ask God to help you with this week?
[1] Matthew 6 Commentary - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
[2] Matthew 6 Commentary - David Guzik Commentary on the Bible
[3] Matthew 6 Commentary - Spurgeon's Verse Expositions of the Bible
[4] Matthew 6 Commentary - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
[5] NIV subnote: Or speak to his disciples, saying “First of all be
[6] Matthew 6 Commentary - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
[7] Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 6
[8] Mathew's Gospel - Free Bible Commentary in easy English
[9] e.g. 'sharing' via social media.
[10] Matthew 6 Commentary - David Guzik Commentary on the Bible
[11] Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 6
[12] Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 6
[13] Text Commentaries: David Guzik (Blue Letter Bible: Matthew)
[14] Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 6
[15] Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 6
[16] Text Commentaries: David Guzik (Blue Letter Bible: Matthew)
[17] Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 6
[18] 7. Watch Your Mouth! (Ecclesiastes 5:1-9) | Bible.org
[19] Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 6
[20] NIV subnote: The Greek for temptation can also mean testing
[21] NIV subnote: Or from evil; some late manuscripts one, / for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
[22] Text Commentaries: David Guzik (Blue Letter Bible: Matthew)
[23] NIV subnote: The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
[24] Mathew's Gospel - Free Bible Commentary in easy English
[25] Mathew's Gospel - Free Bible Commentary in easy English
[26] Text Commentaries: David Guzik (Blue Letter Bible: Matthew)
[27] Mark 12 Commentary - David Guzik Commentary on the Bible
[28] NIV subnote: A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams