It's a Secret

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"...And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." - (Matt. 6:4, ESV)

   Jesus uses the phrase above three different times in this chapter of Matthew: in relation to giving (v.4),  prayer (v.6), and finally fasting (v.18). We understand that when things are repeated in the Bible the author is letting us know that we need to pay attention to something is important.

   We must be clear that Jesus is not telling us that others cannot  see these deeds. Anyone who has ever fasted while sharing a home with others understands that this is impossible. In addition, sometimes giving anonymously is just not possible. The same holds true with prayer.  So the questions is, "What is Jesus telling us?" Jesus is telling us is that spiritual deeds should not be done for the purpose of displaying our "spirituality" in front of others. If you fast more than a meal or two chances are good that someone will notice. Does this mean that your fast was useless? Of course not, unless you were fasting in order to get noticed. In addition giving is a wonderful blessing, but not if it is done to impress others with our generosity. Prayer too is a powerful way in which may hear God's voice and be changed by His very presence, but it is simply a religious speech when it is done for show. 

   The bottom line really comes down to motivation: Why am I giving / praying / fasting / living, and who is watching? If you want other people to notice, then publicize your actions. If you want God to notice them then keep them private (when possible). You will either be rewarded by God or by men, but usually not both. Where do you want your reward to come from?

Blessings!

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