DON'T PRETEND

Passage: Matthew 6:1-8

Key verse: 1a

NIV

Giving to the Needy

6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.(A) If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

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. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.(B)

Prayer(C)

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing(D) in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father,(E) who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling(F) like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.(G) 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need(H) before you ask him.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Giving to the Needy

6 “Beware of (A)practicing your righteousness before other people in order (B)to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

2 (C)“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may (D)be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have (E)received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. (F)And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

The Lord's Prayer

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love (G)to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. (H)Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, (I)go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. (J)And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as (K)the Gentiles do, for (L)they think that they will be heard (M)for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, (N)for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Be genuine

Jesus said to let your good deeds be seen by others (5:16), but he didn't mean we should be actors that perform for others to look good. There is a time to give, a time to pray, and a time to mourn. We do so as God calls us with a genuine heart. Social media 'likes' and a good reputation from those who don't even really know us may make us feel good, but they are nothing compared to the loving embrace of God who really sees us for who we are.

2. In the secret

It is said that someone's true character is found in the secret places that are not seen by the world. Whether we deem ourselves good or bad, God sees everything about us and meets us with open arms of grace. God can only meet us as we truly are, and he doesn't require anything but faith in his grace to accept us.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for seeing me as I am and accepting me. Help me to be genuine as I live in the world and avoid creating false images.

One Word: He who is unseen sees and accepts you