True Righteousness and Riches According to Jesus
Matthew 6:1-18
Purpose: To seek the reward from God, not men, by living truly righteous lives
- The Principle: True Righteousness Seeks Reward from God, Not Men!
Matthew 6:1 "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.[1]
This is Jesus Christ's Key Kingdom Principle (FULFILLMENT; Matthew 5:17, 20)
- God Rewards Secret Giving
Matthew 6:2 "So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3 "But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
True Righteousness in Giving (FULFILLMENT; Matthew 5:17, 20)
How NOT to Give v. How TO Give
- God Rewards Secret Prayer
Matthew 6:5 "When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:7 "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 "So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
Matthew 6:9 "Pray, then, in this way:
"Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 "Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 "Give us this day 1our daily bread.
12 "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
[For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.']
14 "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
True Righteousness in Prayer (FULFILLMENT; Matthew 5:17, 20)
How NOT to Pray v. How TO Pray
The "Lord's Prayer"
Interdependent forgiveness
- God Rewards Secret Fasting
Matthew 6:16 "Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 17 "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face 18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
True Righteousness in Fasting (FULFILLMENT; Matthew 5:17, 20)
How NOT to Fast v. How TO Fast
Conclusion Concerning Christ's Reward:
True Righteousness is rewarded by God (Matthew 5:17, 20 then Matthew 6:1, 4, 6, & 18). When religion is used to serve one's self in pride or reputation, then that person's reward will be from men and not from God (Matthew 6:2, 5, 16). This theme of righteousness, reward, and treasures, is the spiritual theme for the rest of the chapter. We need not worry or be anxious when our hope and trust are in the Provider Himself (Matthew 6:25-34).
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
[1] Unless otherwise specified, all Bible references in this paper are to the New American Standard Bible, Updated Edition (NASB) (La Habra: Foundation Publications, 1995).