Matthew 6. Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount by casting a vision for what kingdom life looks like. Our actions should be motivated by a desire to please God, not others. Jesus challenges our natural desire to earn respect and a good reputation through good deeds.

In the opening section of Matthew 6:1-18 Jesus is rebuking the religious elite who often did their good deeds out in public to earn status in the eyes of men. Jesus calls the religious elite hypocrites – those who put on show for the public but are just playing a role that does not reflect their true hearts. “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them.” (6:1) Jesus gives series of clear instructions – saying “yes”, it is good to do that important spiritual practice, but do not do it the way the hypocrites are doing it.

Here is the pattern in our text: “When you give to the needy…” (6:2,3). “When you pray…” (6:5,6). “When you fast…” (6:16,17). These are good and expected practices of Christians, and there is a correct way to go about doing them. The phrase “in secret” appears six times in our text, reiterating that God is engaged with the things of the heart. He knows what is going on, if you are being hypocritical and seeking glory for yourself.

The word “reward” appears seven times in this section of Matthew 6, indicating that God is the giver of all rewards to those whose hearts belong to Him and do their spiritual practices faithfully, without fanfare. We are reminded in Hebrews 11:6 that “Whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

In the second part of Matthew 6:19-34 Jesus shifts to instructions regarding our values, our pursuits, and our worries. The opening command is key to understanding the whole section, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth” (6:19). Things on earth are a bit like Monopoly money – plastic hotels, paper bills, titles on pieces of cardboard. You never know when fate will step in and upend the whole board, and all your efforts to win the game will be lost. There is no eternal prize for winning the Monopoly game.

If we obey the “do not store up for yourselves” (6:19), we will be well-equipped to obey the following three commands “do not be anxious” (6:25,31,34). If your heart is anchored in eternal things, instead of Monopoly money, then you have far less to worry about!

Jesus reminds us that “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also… You cannot serve both God and money” (6:21,24). “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you (6:33). In a very practical sense, how might you spend more of your time and effort on things that have eternal value?