Beatitudes Series Part 5: Jesus Teaches How To Give and Pray
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We are now continuing with Matthew 6:1-4, where Jesus continues to speak about the law and the familiar scriptures that have been known for decades, but Jesus is clarifying His expectations moving forward.
In this next continual passage, we will discover hypocrisy concerning offerings and prayer.
Beatitudes Sermon On The Mount Part 5
Jesus Teaches How To Give and Pray
Jesus Warns Against Hypocrisy
Matthew 6:1-4
Key Verses of Discussion
Matthew 6:1-8 Proverbs 20:6
“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thing alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as they hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
Humble Attitude For Charity
Now Jesus is teaching the discipline of alms and prayer. He warns not to give alms before men, to be seen of them, otherwise we have no reward from our Heavenly Father. The word alms means to give as a charity to the less fortunate. This may include: money, food, clothing, acts of service, etc. Christians are encouraged to give when they can. Jesus warns to do it in the right manner, so as not to get praise from others. When we give alms (charity), we should do so not out of pure obligation that we are expected to, but instead to give from our heart, in good faith, without expecting anything in return. When we give from the heart, God blesses us in return by taking care of us.
Our Extra Is Another’s Blessing
Life is unpredictable; one minute, we have all our bills paid and extra in the bank, and at a moment’s notice, we can be at the point of losing our home, car, and everything we own. We should consider anything extra to be given as a way to further the kingdom of heaven. Perhaps you baked some bread, and you ended up with too much for your family to eat, this would be a good gift to perhaps your elderly neighbor. A loaf of bread that is extra for you is a blessing to another, one that can provide more than just a meal, but a loving offer of thoughtfulness and comfort.
Proverbs 20:6 “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?”
Charity Not Fame
We are to give in a humbling manner, we may be in a position one day where we need help. By helping others, we help God spread blessings to others, and that in itself is a reward all alone, to be utilized by God to help others. The reward is giving and the fulfillment we recieve when we do so in the right manner.
When You Pray
When You Pray
Matthew 6:5-6
“And when thou prays, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”
When You Pray
First, Jesus addresses the location in a manner that would be proper to pray. He says don’t be like the hypocrites that stand in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets praying so they may be seen and heard of men. Prayer is an intimate, private communication we have with our Heavenly Father. Prayer should not be a boasting speech to impress others, although there is a time to pray outloud to lead a group in prayer, but when this is done, we should still approach the manner of prayer as a humbling, sincere moment.
Talking With God
Jesus instructs us to pray in secret, which helps remove all distractions, the absence of an audience, and allows quiet personal time with our Heavenly Father. Prayer isn’t just a one-way communication; God will be present with us, comfort and guide us when needed. We discussed some of the value that quiet and stillness can bring to our spiritual walk in the New Year Devotions Series. When we remove distractions and focus time on God, He will renew, guide, and restore us. To set ourselves apart from others, we are allowing an intimate time with God.
Finding Your Quiet Corner
Jesus uses a closet for this example, but we can find a quiet corner in our home to designate as a place of prayer, fewer distractions the better. I had a corner in my living room next to a window where I placed a big, floral, oversized chair and ottoman, and that corner was my prayer “closet.” I would enjoy a nice cup of coffee, praying and reading my Bible while watching the sun rise. My children were little, and I enjoyed the quiet stillness of our home, right before I would hear the patter of their feet in the mornings, running with excitement to start their daily adventures. When they found me in my big chair, they would snuggle with me until it was time to get our day started.
God’s blessings poured out in those moments more than my heart could contain.
Vain Repetitions
Matthew 6: 7-8
“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.”
When You Pray
Jesus teaches us that when we pray, we should not use vain repetitions, as the heathen do. Vain repetitions are empty words that don’t have meaning, value, or substance. Those who repeat the same repeated or memorized words are chanting without thought. I was raised in a certain religion that would use prayers in a synchronized manner. It wasn’t until I got older that God helped me to realize that He wants me to speak to Him directly and not through empty repetitiveness. I wasn’t sure how to reach God, and I went back to what I was taught. I’m so thankful and blessed that God spoke to me that day, to invite me to talk to Him directly.
God Knows
There will be times we don’t have the words to speak or assemble in our minds to communicate with God. In times of loss or confusion, our minds can’t translate what our heart feels. This is when our soul cries out to our Heavenly Father, to call out to Him, He already knows what we need.
Importance Of Prayer
Why pray if God already knows? It’s simple, God wants us to run to Him! We are the daughters of the Almighty King. He wants nothing but the best for us, and above all, He desires a relationship with us. No matter the size of the need, great or small, God wants us to come to the foot of His throne. God wants to be there for us in the big events of our lives, but He wants to be part of all the small ones, too! After all, we have more common, uneventful days or moments than we do the bigger ones. What better way to have the opportunity to walk with God daily and have Him show you the things He wants you to see, all the little things that can bring a smile to your day?
Final Thoughts
Pray in secret; we are not to be boastful in the sight of men; our reward is when we seek God in the prayer closet. He can communicate with us in an intimate, more personal way, one without distractions. This is a time we set aside just for God, in those quiet moments we can cry out to Him without being concerned about judgment by others, and this is the time He will speak with us within our hearts.
Prayer is important; it’s our direct communication line to God, through the Holy Spirit. When we accept salvation through Jesus Christ, we become new creatures, and the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, lives within us. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. This is our lifeline to God, how we communicate even when words don’t form what our heart cries out.
Remember that prayer is not repetitive; it’s a conversation, God wants to be with us in the smallest to the greatest things. Prayer is not a competition; it’s a personal relationship. God sees what’s in our hearts; He knows our deepest intents. God isn’t looking for perfection or performance; He wants a relationship with you and me.
Journaling Prompts
Think of some ways I can praise God. What talents has God given me that I can use to give honor and glory to HIm?
When preparing a journal, write the names of people I feel led to pray for. Write down Bible verses next to their names and leave space for when God answers prayers for those individuals.
Praying also involves giving thanks, being grateful for the things God has already done in our lives. What are some things that God has done for me this day, month, or year? Counting our blessings is a form of worship and praise; the more we focus on our blessings, the more our difficulties begin to fade.
Before you leave, will you join me in prayer?
Father, we thank You for Your precious Word, and we can learn more about You and know how to properly communicate with You. May You teach us how to talk to You more, guide us when we don’t have the words to speak, and know our hearts’ desires. I ask that You be with each one of us as we navigate through a new year. May we draw closer each day to You, even in the smallest things, may we see You in the world around us. Help us to remember that You are not concerned of how we pray, the words we speak, but that we come. I ask that You pour out a special blessing upon each reader, guide them, and put a hedge of protection around them and their loved ones. Guide us to purposefully find time to get into our prayer closets, if we don’t have one, may we designate a space in our home, to spend time in fellowship with You, our Heavenly Father.
May You get all the honor and glory, through Jesus Christ, Amen.
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Some Bible studies may take longer than others, as I am often led to explain certain verses in greater detail. I want you to know that these blog posts are written straight from my heart - they are not created by AI, so if you pay close attention, you may find my little nuggets of imperfections! What you read here are my own thoughts and reflections, guided by where God leads me.
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