Matthew 6:1–8, Matthew 6:16–18

In Matthew 5:1–48, Jesus made it clear that God is concerned for our thoughts and our desires. When it comes to pleasing him, to obeying his law, he wants more than an outward conformity. He wants complete devotion, nothing less than a pure heart (Matthew 5:8). It is no surprise to find that the same holds true for our motives. Our service to God, our outward religious actions, they must be aimed at pleasing him and not winning the favour of man.

To illustrate this basic principle, Jesus reflects on three common religious practices of his day and age. These are good things, godly disciplines and habits, but nevertheless things that were often done for the wrong reasons.

First, there is giving. It is a good thing to be generous and to help those in need. In fact, just a few verses earlier in his Sermon, at the end of Matthew 5:1–48, Jesus has encouraged us to do the same: Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you (Matthew 5:42). God has graciously given us much more than we need or deserve, so we can and must look for chances to do the same to others. It is an expectation from God’s law; it is a way in which we can please our Father.

The problem comes when generosity is advertised in such a way that it draws attention to the individual, as if we are special, more important than everyone else. That is the way in which society typically gives, no? Names on buildings, notices in the newspaper, thanksgiving awards and ceremonies—we like to honour those who are generous, and if we are honest, we like to be honoured. But this kind of giving is not pleasing to the Father. This kind of giving is selfish, transactional. We pay a set amount of money and we get the praise of men. God is not glorified when we give to make a name for ourselves. And so to combat this temptation, it should be enough for us to give in secret, to give where only the Father can see. If we want to please him, then our generosity does not need to be paraded.

Another good work is the work of prayer, which is the most important part of the thankfulness that God requires from us. It is a good thing to pray—publicly, privately, in the mornings in the evenings. We speak often to those whom we know and love; we should speak often to our Father. And whenever we do so, we acknowledge our dependence on him. We honour him as the one to whom all things belong, our soul is quieted, and our hearts are often encouraged.

The problem comes when prayer is done for show or as a means of manipulation. When it is about making me look good in the front of other people, or a matter of saying the right words, then it is no longer the thankful response of a Christian. As with giving, it becomes a selfish and vain action.

Finally, there is the practice of fasting. Common in the time of Jesus, old covenant believers were required to fast once a year on the Day of Atonement. It served as a reminder to God’s people that the Lord is more important than anyone or anything else. He comes before food and shelter, before security and friendship—the Lord is King. Once a year it was public knowledge that everyone was fasting, but there were also other times someone could fast voluntarily; for example, following the death of a loved one, or in preparation for making an important and difficult decision. The Pharisees went so far as to fast twice a week; they were serious about their devotion to God, but they lost the plot along the way.

What was meant to be a reminder of your dependence on God became a performance. It became an act to confirm your piety, to win the approval of your fellow believer, to make them think much of you so that you can get some benefit in return—possibly the right to teach, maybe even a financial reward. Whatever the precise motive may have been, it was not the honour of God but the glory of man, good works done for the sake of looking important and joining the club. It could be evangelism, volunteering, washing the dishes, or wearing your best clothes on a Sunday. There are lots of deeds and actions that are connected with godliness and are open to abuse. Whatever it may be for our culture and our day, our motivations must be pure: pleasing the Father, and not after the approval of man.