Giving Alms
Mat 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Give to the needy, do good to the poor, but do not do it openly to gain the praise of others, or that will be your reward.
Mat 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Mat 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
1 Cor 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
A loving heart and a compassionate giving heart is of great importance to God.
Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
We do not seek approval of the world but of the Lord. It is alright to share what we are doing, it will encourage others to do the same. But do all out of love for the Lord, not for self glory. That applies to any ministry for God, do not put your name up in lights, instead lift up the name of Jesus.
Prayer Closet
Mat 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
They would wear their prayer shawls to let others know they were praying. I have heard that they sometimes covered their faces in the shawl and this was called praying in their closet, The point here, is do not pray for show with great swelling words to impress those around you. You are praying to God.
Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Shawls don't have doors, so Jesus is speaking about a small room, an intimate quiet place. Pray in secret, not to make points with others watching. Your Father in heaven will hear you and reward you openly.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
We pray in faith to our Father. In the Old Testament, God was not referred to as our Father. The nation of Israel as a whole was called God's son.
Exo 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
Exo 4:23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.
Jesus was God's only begotten son, the firstborn, or preeminent one of a new people. Begotten means, after the original. God begot Jesus who is God the Son and the son of man. A sheep will beget a sheep, after it's own kind.
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
How is it that we may call God our Father? It is through faith in Jesus.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Mat 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Mat 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Do not pray empty prayers without meaning. Pray simply, from the heart. Pray with all your heart, and God will answer. He knows what we need, but often he waits to be asked. Do you understand what riches you have as an heir of God? Do you know what it is to be a son of God?
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Wow, grab hold of your Father, hold him in a loving hug. He has taken you out of fear and bondage into his Kingdom home. Learn of his promises, they are yours, study and pray in faith, expecting and he will reward you. We have a living relationship with the Living God our Father, we need not pretend and act religious. Love him and obey him he wants to bless you.
Lord's Prayer
This prayer is a sample prayer, showing us a pattern for how to pray. When I was young I was in a car wreck, the young lady with me was going to be a missionary, she prayed this prayer over and over. We were not seriously hurt, but this prayer convicted me and satan at the same time condemned me. Satan gave me thoughts of suicide, the Holy Spirit was preparing my heart to receive him. Within weeks I had a serious cancer operation, after this I received Jesus and his Holy Spirit.
Mat 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Holy is the name of our Father God. He is our Father if we are in his Son Jesus Christ through faith. He is in heaven just as Jesus is in heavenly places. The kingdom of God is now, within each child of God.
Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
As God is hallowed, sacred and holy, so should be his dwelling place. He fills us and is in heaven, God is everywhere.
Isa 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Isa 6:2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
Isa 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
We pray to an awesome Father God.
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
The coming Kingdom, is the millennial reign of Jesus Christ on earth. He will rule with authority and truth as it is in heaven. Satan will be bound until the end of the thousand years. Then thousands of men, still with Adam's sinful nature will follow satan against the Lord, and be destroyed. Jesus will come with a rod of iron, his authority and word will rule.
He also rules now in his Kingdom within, in the hearts of the believers, in those who are obedient.
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Jesus, being with God, put aside his glory and willingly obeyed the Father as our example to follow. (Phil 2:6-8)
John 6:62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
2 Th 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
1 Pet 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1 Pet 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Give us this day, Give us each new day that we are allotted. Allow us to awaken, to breath in air, to be able to speak praises to the Lord's name. Life itself is a gift of God, precious and always running by time. Our Lord provides our needs each day.
Psa 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
What of our spiritual needs? We must eat daily of the manna from heaven.
John 6:31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
John 6:32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
John 6:33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
John 6:34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Jesus is not of the earth, but he is eternal spirit from heaven. He came giving life, for he is the very life giving God from heaven. We must eat of this bread daily. We must get into God's scriptures and be renewed in our minds and spirit each day. Then we shall have something to give the hungry in spirit. All apart from Jesus will perish. Jesus is the only way to God and life. You may strive for the highest worldly position. You may give yourself to darkness as a wiccan or pagan or pantheist, believing there are many ways to God, but in the end you will be eternally damned in hell. Jesus offers you life in him, he will receive you and feed you spiritual food, and you shall never hunger again.
John 4:31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
John 4:32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
John 4:33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
Our physical needs will be met, but all flesh will perish. Do not live for the desires of the flesh, running out of time. Desire that which is eternal. What we do while abiding in Jesus for his purposes will last forever.
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Mat 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Mat 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Debtors, in that we have sinned against one another. God's moral justice holds us accountable when we break God's laws. Only Jesus never broke a law of God, so all are debtors. Those forgiven in Jesus are free, but are not free to accuse another, for all are sinners by nature. Jesus has forgiven us so we must forgive others. If we do not forgive, he will withhold our forgiveness.
Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
2 Pet 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
Trust in the Lord, he is good. His way is not temptation, but righteousness. There is never gain in God's kingdom by yielding to temptations and lusts. It is the devil's false light, teasing with bait, until he has caught you with hells big fishhook, and you are dragged into the pit of despair. Beware of the delights of sin. We shall walk by faith.
Heb 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.
Heb 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Heb 11:28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
We overcome temptations by faith in God and his coming kingdom. We do not live for momentary pleasure, as did Esau, who sold his birthright for a bowl of stew. Did not Judas fall for the bait of thirty pieces of silver, when denying our Lord? We must not miss God's best, if we follow God's Spirit, he will not lead us into temptation. Jesus came to deliver us from evil. Have we not been delivered from evil? Praise him and continue to trust in him. Sin's harvest is death, faith in Jesus will give us the promise of everlasting life.
Forgiving and Fasting
Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
We have no right to withhold forgiveness, when we have been forgiven so much. To forgive is our part, still the wrong is against God. If the wrong doer has not been forgiven by Christ Jesus, the sinner must face the justice of God. No person apart from Jesus will come to heaven, but he will be cast into the fire of God's wrath. Will we allow unforgiveness to come between God's love and forgiveness for us? Do we want anyone to face God's judgment? We are ministers of reconciliation, beloved children of God. May we reach out with love and forgiveness to bring as many as possible to God's love and salvation in Jesus. This is the will of God.
2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Mat 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Mat 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
Mat 6:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
The same thing as regarding public prayers. We do not seek to impress others with our self righteousness. It is between you and God, not for show or we will not receive from God, we have our reward. Let us go beyond self glory, or self pity, and bring others to the saving grace of Jesus.
Treasure in Heaven
Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
What do you value the most in life? Most people of the world would say a loved one or wealth. When a fire comes, first we make sure those we love are safe, then maybe our valuables, but high on the list would be family photos that bring back memories. Maybe some of us do not want to go back, but when we are in the family of God, we have family and cherished relationships. It is love that we value and desire most. Some put money ahead of all concerns. In crime, money is god. All others are just to be used to gain more money. The motto would be to "love money and use people," this is backwards from the heart of God. We are to love God first and foremost and others as ourselves. Money is to be used, but not that important for life. Our life is to be in heaven and towards the purposes of God. We should not make merchandise of God's ministry gifts. What is important to us, financial gain or serving God? God is not just a means for financial gain. Ask a Sudanese Christian, what is most important? Many are being killed by Muslims and being starved, are they less then American Christians? Think about it.
Single Focus
Mat 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
Mat 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
If you have one eye left, or two, focus them together on a single object. Focus on Jesus. A good picture from a camera, has a focus of attention. If you put too much in the picture it becomes confusion. A longer lens focused will isolate and focus on one subject. This is selective focus, we select what we shall focus on. Will it be Jesus, or does he loose our interest as we focus our eyes and attention on other things? Let's think about our thoughts, are they on possessions, or lusts of the flesh, or is Jesus the only object of our focus?
Mat 6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Careful what you see and what you think. An evil eye covets another's person, property or possessions. I have never seen so much temptation to look at lustful things of the eyes, as in this generation. On the Internet, the tempting to sin with the eyes and the heart is relentless. There is big money in the addiction to the lust of the eyes. Cast it aside, we cannot watch evil and focus on Jesus. You must give up the evil things of the world. Look beyond the world and look unto Jesus, be selective in your focus. Look to the long range, the future glory with the Lord.
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Heb 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
We can't look at two things at once. Choose which is most important to you, choose Jesus.
1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Tim 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
1 Tim 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Where is our love focus? God is not in lust. Love God with all your heart, this is the first and greatest commandment. I love God and you my brother/sister in the Lord. We belong to a Mighty God. My eyes are fixed on you, my lord.
Don't Worry
Mat 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Do not have a divided or distracted, anxious mind about what you should eat or drink or what clothing to wear. We shall have these as we work to provide for our needs, yet realize that all good things are provided from God. Has God not given you abilities and ways to make a living? Worries and concerns give us stress and confusion.
Phil 4:6 Be careful for nothing; (Do not be anxious) but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Phil 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Mat 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
In the fall the leaves fall from the trees. All the blossoms have produced fruit and certain plants are nothing but stems with seeds, The birds eat this harvest. In a nearbye harvested field of grain, the Canadian geese land to glean the seeds left on the ground. They are provided for, certainly we shall be provided for. Here in America there is abundance, no one should go without. Those with the heart of Jesus should reach out in someway meeting others needs. This is important to God.
Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Feeding the needy is as feeding Jesus and blessing him. There are missions, and churches giving aid to the needy. Sorry to say that many people are provided for, but throw their money into satan's collection plate. Many are addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling, cigarettes, and other sins. These steal away God's provisions given to them. Don't be stressed out with concern, take your needs to God in prayer, trust him and he will bless you. Remember the ability to work is his provision for you.
Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Lilies that spin
Mat 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
God has made you as you are. He has given you life and your stature. Many, even the most blessed are unsatisfied with their appearance. Why worry? Why fret over silly things? Should we not see as the Lord sees?
1 Sam 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
The word for stature is also similar to the word for age. Stress over age is just as unproductive. Who can add time to their lifespan? Enjoy each day, eat well and exercise, still God controls our life span.
Mat 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
I watched a time lapse movie showing the growth of a lily, it spinned around towards the sun as it grew towards the sun's warm light. The commentator, being an evolutionist said, "See this proves the Bible in error, lilies do spin." No, the Bible is not in error, let's look at Strong's concordance for the word spin.
3514 kobed ko'-bed from 3513; weight, multitude, vehemence: -grievousness, heavy, great number. The context of the previous scripture, was to not be concerned and anxious about what to eat or what to wear. This definition includes words such as, weight, heavy, I think of heavy burdens that we carry, that Jesus says to give to him. Other words used for spin; vehemence, intense energy, a multitude; grieviousness; full of grief and anxiety. Combine this with "toil," exhausting labor. This sounds like stress. Don't be stressed like Martha, be like Mary and sit at Jesus' feet, learn of him.
Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
What of the lilies that did spin? They were just doing as God designed them to do. They were growing and following the sun. We should do what is best, growing and following the Son of God, not seeking to do things by our worrisome efforts. Consider the lilies as dancing in praise, growing as God desires. We should be full of life praising the Lord as we grow towards his likeness. Not by our way, but by God's Spirit and his will. The Lord thinks you are more beautiful then the lilies. Jesus came so that you will live forever, he did not do this for the lilies.
Mat 6:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Mat 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
There, Jesus says what he will say so often,"ye of little faith." Why? Because we have a tendency to walk by sight and our own understanding. We worry about things beyond our control. We know better, we are to trust God.
Prov 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Prov 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Prov 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Prov 3:8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
Seek God first
Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Again, we are to submit to our heavenly father, he will provide. Too often we jump ahead of him. We should not try to fix our own path or another's path, all must follow God, we should not be overly concerned. Be still my soul, ye of little faith. Trust in your father with a thankful heart. All good things and all protection is of the LORD of Hosts. If another is angry for no just cause, seek God, not your own understanding.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Always put God and His things, his kingdom first, before the concerns of the world. What is your focus, will it glorify God? Put God's things first. The things that are out of control for the natural man, are in His control, trust him.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Stay in the present and choose God's way each moment of the day. Do not look back, we are not locked up in the past. Each day we shall face, with it's trials and misunderstandings for evil or for good. Do not heap upon your plate, the concerns of tomorrow, that you cannot control. Pray, seek his will each day, live in the "now." Give all to the Lord. Forgive and love one another as children of God.
Gary
Matthew Chapters
Matthew 7
Matthew 1 Table of Contents
Eaglewings Bible Commentaries
Eaglewings Topical Bible Studies
Eaglewings Testimonies