Beware of practising your devotion before men to be seen by them. The bible says for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. It is far better to be rewarded by God than to be awarded by men. Jesus gave teachings even on how to behave right in his Fathers house. Jesus said when you give alms sound no trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in their synagogues and in the street (Mathew 6:2). Who is a hypocrite? A hypocrite could be an imposter, maybe someone who does eye service. This brings us back to the question are we living for ourselves or unto God. Our devotion should be unto God and not man.
On Prayer
In vs7 Jesus is teaching us on the way to pray. Why did Jesus say when you pray go into your room shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. This is because Jesus needs our focus, He needs our attention and composure. He wants us to be conscious of Him alone not trying to impress someone or maybe getting unnecessarily distracted or even tempted to roleplay before God. He wants us to come as simple and honest as we can so the focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His Grace.
Fasting – vs 16
You don’t have to put an act when fasting or look a certain way because you are fasting. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity, but it won’t make you a saint. Don’t look at me like that, I did not say that the message translation said it. Okay, so if you want to go into a fast act normal: Comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face, and of course wear a smile. God doesn’t require attention getting devices. He wont overlook what you are doing he will sure reward you well.
Heavenly Treasures – vs 19
This is a very powerful verse and I think one of my favorite scriptures. How do you lay up treasures in heaven? We can do that by sowing or being minded into spiritual things or we can say by investing into Kingdom things/activities e.g., outreaches, the bible, devotionals, reaching out to the people(needy) etc. Jesus went ahead to tell us to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. So, our investment and treasures into Kingdom activities is safe and assured. Jesus also gave us a revelation. He said for where our treasure is there will your heart (attention, mind, focus) be also.
The Eye is the lamp of the body
Jesus said the eye is the lamp of the body. What does this even mean? It means the eye is the light of the body. Jesus went further to say if your eye is sound then your whole body will be full of light (Truth). Your ways will be full of clarity. AMP version says “The spirit(conscience) of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching and examining all the innermost part of the body. Friends let’s not forget that the eyes are the gateway to our spirit. Jesus said if your eyes (the gateway to your soul is unsound) Your whole body is full of darkness. If the very light in you (your conscience) is darkened, how dense is the darkness. If you do your research, you will realise that the eyes are much more than just for seeing physical things, you could have sound eyes but blind spiritually, (your conscience is darkened) you could be blind physically yet have so much light inside of you. Hence the saying ’The eyes are the gateway to your soul’.
Money vs Mammon
Mammon could mean money, material wealth or any entity that promises wealth and is associated with the greedy pursuit of gain. Why did Jesus say you cannot serve God and money? Our God is spirit and money itself is a spirit? Our God is a sovereign God, He is God all by himself and a righteously jealous God that demands our love, our time, our devotion whole heartedly. I know someone just said, but money answereth all things. Yes, the bible says so but that should not be a driving determinant as to how you will live your life on earth for Jesus. You cannot serve Him and money. The bible says seek first the kingdom of God and every other thing shall be added to you, including the wealth that you so desire. Do you think that God wants you poor? No, he doesn’t! The bible says in Jeremiah9 vs 11 “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil to give you a future and a hope”. Wao! So, God has thought out plans for us, plans to take care of us, not of evil or to abandon us but to give us a hope in our outcome. Jesus needs our eyes gazed on Him and not on material wealth, because come to think of it friends, money is a tool, it is a weapon in our hands to be used wisely.
So, friends as previously mentioned, Jesus needs our devotion whole heartedly, He needs our time and focus mindlessly on him.
Culled b y Eseosa