http://www.americanwisdomseries.comPresents
MATTHEWChapter 6
Caution to students of God's Word - Please remember two things when using our studies: #1. Our commentary is not God's Word. It is only our interpretation or understanding of "His Word" and even though we try our best to be accurate we may or may not be correct. #2. The King James translation, or any other translation, of the original Hebrew text has some words which were given different translations at different places probably because of the interpreters preconceived ideas of what they think God meant to say. For example: According to the notes in the "Drake's Annotated Reference Bible" the Hebrew word hayah in the KJV is Trans. (became) 67 times, (becamest or came to pass) 505 times, (become) 66 times, and (come to pass) 131 times, but for some reason in Genesis 1:2 it is translated (was)! That sure changes the way a person perceives the original creation of the earth, doesn't it? Gen. 1:2 And the earth was (became) without form, ... Having said that, let us continue with our "Key Knowledge" lessons. These are pamphlets containing knowledge, we believe, you must have to fully and accurately unlock and understand the Word of God.
John 15:26
But when the
Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the
Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of
me:
John
16:13-14
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit
of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not
speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:
and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for
he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
This
Bible Study was originally written by Roger Christopherson,
published at http://www.theseason.org/
Without the leading by the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the truths, for all the truth of the Scriptures are revealed to us by God's Spirit.
Now here is our revised study of:
The
GOSPEL ACCORDING TO
MATTHEW
Chapter 6
"Continuing the Sermon on the Mount; Almsgiving and prayer."
To summarize the teaching of the "Sermon on the Mount", Jesus is telling us to be like Him. "Like Father like son", and when we are the elect of God, we become sons of the Living God, and He is Jesus Christ. When we strive to be like our Savior, we will fall short, but that is the time to repent, and keep right on trying. This discourse, or sermon is the pattern, or guide that Jesus expects us to follow as we try to image Christ in our lives.
Any human father that loves his child will start teaching his little one from the cradle, right from wrong, and the things that are necessary to exist in this world. As the child grows up, the instructions get more detailed, and with it come maturity. Jesus is taking these babies in His new kingdom, and giving them the most basic instructions, that is expected of them, if they are to mature in God's kingdom. And as Christians, this is why it is important the each of use learn these chapters of Christ's sermon on the Mount.
Chapter six is a continuation of Matthew five, that ended with Christ's teaching on His "Law of Love". He is now going to teach us on giving, how to pray, and on fasting. Christ was the living Word, and that is why we must keep in the Word daily.
Matthew 6:1 "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: other-wise ye have no reward of your Father Which is in heaven."
The traditions of men have so twisted the meanings and methods of almsgiving, or tithing, that there is much confusion. What we are to do as one of God's elect, is to give as our Heavenly Father has laid out for us, for in giving in this way, God will reward you. If you don't please God, the blessings won't be poured out on you.
All of the critical texts read "righteousness", with reference to alms. However this is conjecture, because "alms" is the first subject, and in the Greek "dikaiosune" is "righteousness",and was subsequently substituted for "eleemosune", "alms".
Many people want to connect something physically to the teachings of Christ. If you look at this only in the physical sense, then you will miss most of Christ's teachings a great deal of the time. When the time for the offering comes, it is obvious who the ones that give to be seen are, and they make sure that everyone knows the amount, for it creates the image that they want the others to have of them. That image, as the big giver, is their reward, and God will allow them the privilege of an increased ego, of their temporary vanity. That is the only reward that is to be given to them. Upon their death, or the Lord's coming, it is as if they never gave a cent.
The intention is what is important, and not the secrecy of the giving. You give because you love the Father, and that it is what is commanded of you through the tithe. For in the long run, As one of God's elect, it isn't yours to give in the first place. The tithe is the Lords, and what is left, is His gift to you as a faithful steward of God's wealth. It is from the heart that the alms are given, and it is given for the spreading of God's Word.
The important thing here is the intent in your mind, not the other man's mind. If the government grants a tax advantage by the giving, you should take it. Your tax forms are private documents, and if it is the law of the land, it is permissible within the Scriptures. What is important is that you gave it privately in the first place, with the purpose of serving God. It is not the physical act of giving that is important, but the mental act within your mind that is part of your spiritual life.
Matthew 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."
Your giving should be unannounced to the fact of the giving, but made as the spiritual act that is expected of you, as a child of God. "Hypocrites" in the Greek are "play actors"; someone pretending to be something that they are not. Hollywood is full of them, as well and in most churches. They put their mask on, and play the role of Christian, when they are not. Their mask, in this case is their roll of dollar bills thrown into the offering plate.
The applause that they receive from their giving is the only reward that they will receive. In the eyes of God, it doesn't matter whether others see the amount or not, but it is your intent of the giving for the sole purpose of expanding God's work. God will judge you on what was in your mind, and that sets your reward eternally.
Matthew 6:3 "But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:"
You should know by now that this has nothing to do with either your right hand or your left. It is an idiom, which is to say, it is a figure of speech. It is an expression that shows true humility. That is to say, you give it to the Lord privately, knowing that it is going to the work of the Lord in the saving of souls, in the hands of those who are teaching the Word of God.
If a church is teaching traditions and doctrines other then what God's Word teaches, how can you be blessed by God, or expect eternal rewards because of your giving. You give where you get your teaching. To make an analogy; When you get your food from Safeway, why would you give to the Thrift way store. However, the work of God is in many ministries, and God may lay on your heart the need to help in another ministry, and that is why our giving is private, because it is only your business, and only you will receive just rewards for your intent of your giving.
Matthew 6:4 "That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father Which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly."
Again, it is your own private business, and the reason for the giving comes form your love of God, and His dealing with you in your heart. If the intent in your heart, or mind is right, you need not say anything, God can read your heart, and it is He that will assure you of your blessings on earth in this life, and the rewards you receive eternally. When you give God's way, you can expect a blessing from it.
Commitments and pledges are public and are set up in a fashion to be a gimmick to force your money from you. Regardless of whether they use the money in building of a structure, or feeding a starving child from Africa. It is a method of public distortion. When you give to be tied in with that purpose, then your reward is that purpose. Man created the purpose, and man will benefit from it. Your benefit is whatever satisfaction you get from seeing that purpose accomplished. Many ministries create their clubs, and give away trinkets to identify you with their cause. That is not of God, and your membership card, and trinket is what you will receive from your gift to them.
The thing to remember is that we must do our giving in the ways and places that God has instructed us to give. Telethons, and gimmicks rip people off, by denying them the blessings of the living God. Sounding the trumpet, ring the bell, rush out the chart, quick, quick get your call in; it is all robbing God's people of any blessing of reward. They will give and get nothing for it, but end up on many sucker lists for future harassment.
Matthew 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, the they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."
Jesus is telling us that He doesn't want us to pray like those play actors pray. In other words, if they want to be heard in their prayer, that is as far as their prayer is going. Their reward is the vanity that they may have in their mind, that they have some elevated position amongst the men around them. Jesus is telling us not to do such a thing.
Matthew 6:6 "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to the Father which is in secret; and thy Father Which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."
A true man of God, when he is asked by another for prayer, is compelled to give prayer to those in need. This is not sounding the trumpet in open streets, but in concern for one another. When the pastor of the congregation pray before the congregation, he is the shepherd of that flock, and as such, it is his duty to remember, and direct his [her] people in the needs that are before them. This is that pastor's responsibility before God. This verse is not directed to those circumstances. All of the Apostles have done it, Paul and Peter did it, because they were servants of God. And when that servant of God approaches God on behalf of those he is instructing, and the Spirit of God fills those hearts and needs, that gives added credentials to you, that he indeed is a servant of God.
In James 5:14, 15; "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil [olive oil, the oil of God's people] in the name of the Lord: [14] And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." [15] This is God's instruction for praying over the sick and needy. It is very public.
This verse is addressing the individual person, who is one of Christ's', and has needs and thanksgiving to come before the Lord personally, Jesus is tell us that as such, we are to go to our closets, or private place, and there in private pray to the Heavenly Father.
Matthew 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."
God is not blind and hard of hearing, in fact He can understand what is on your heart before you do. His Spirit knows what you need, and can utter a prayer before your mind can think it. Most heathen religions use chants, and repetitions that continue for hours, in fact the ancient Sumerian religion of ancient Babylon used beads on a long string, to count the number of prayers to the their god Tammuz. It had the Tammuz cross on the string, -- this relic has been dug up in archaeological digs in the middle east, that pre-date the time of Christ by centuries. It is from this ancient string custom of pagan prayer that the Catholics get the use of their rosary.
God is saying that any form of repetition He will not hear, because it is heathen.
Matthew 6:8 "Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him."
We are not to pray like the heathen do, because our God is not stupid, and stop treating Him as such. He knows what you need, and get down and repent in Jesus name, then present your case before Him. Do it His way and He will bless you for it. God knows what you need, and He also knows what you don't need. He also knows when it is right to withhold what we feel is a must, for our own sake. We better thank Him for this.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Matthew 6:9 "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father Which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.
Jesus is telling us that when we pray, do it after this manner. Today we are told that this is the disciple's prayer. Friend, disciple means student, and if you claim to be a Christian, then you are a disciple, for we are a student of God's Word until we leave this flesh body. Even scholars are students of God's Word.
Though we do not use the exact words of this prayer, the order and manner is the form that we use. As we pray, Jesus tells us that we should keep each step in mind, as we approach the throne of God. We start, "Our Father..." We identify our heavenly Father, with the respect that He deserves. You believe that He is in heaven, which is admitting that He is supernatural. "Hallowed be thy name," gives honor to His holy name.
If you don't believe in the first step, forget about praying, for it will be in vain. Even though you don't say this every time, you have to believe that in your heart.
Matthew 6:10 "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."
The kingdom is the King and his dominion. Know in your mind that Jesus Christ is the King and this earth is Christ's domain, with Satan being allowed a short reign here. Christ's kingdom is coming to this earth at the seventh trumpet, and then Jesus will reign here on earth, just as He does now in Heaven.
If your all wrapped up in the rapture theory, it would be hard for you to relate to this verse. You would be in the wrong vain of thought. You have to be praying for this earth and the people in it, and not some pie in the sky theory. Our focus should be on the return of the King of kings, and His return to this earth, and those of His domain that is set up on the earth, once Satan is driven out. That is the frame of mind that we should have.
Matthew 6:11 "Give us this day our daily bread."
If you are a student of God's Word, what is the famine for in the end times? It will not be for the bread that we eat, but for the truth of God's Word. The Prophet told us what this bread would be to the last generation. Amos 8:11; "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord."
Amos 8:12, 13; "And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it. [12] In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst." [13]
Jesus Christ is our bread, and He is the word of God [John 1:1-4], and that is what we are to pray for. Jesus Christ is what we had better be feeding on daily, to get our strength for the day. Friend, the only way that you will get through to your Heavenly Father is through Jesus Christ, it is only by the name of Jesus that we can approach the throne of God.
Matthew 6:12 "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."
In the manuscripts, "debts" reads, "sins". This is not referring to money, but the sins of ourselves, and the sins of those that sin against us. This is saying, "Forgive me of my sins, and the sins of those that have sinned against me, Father."
Matthew 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."
Satan and his evil spirits are all around us today, and here we are asking God to protect us from the old tempter. We are asking God to give us discernment to keep each of us from the temptations that the wicked one will bring our way. The phrase, "deliver us from the evil" [one] should be added.
Jesus is saying that if you say, "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever;" you had better believe every word. There had better be no other king, and no other dominion that you have an interest in. Our Lord is a jealous God, and living in the latter days as we are, the real time of testing is coming shortly, and we had better know our Messiah, for the fake.
All power is from God, and All glory goes to our Lord Jesus Christ, for without Christ's shed blood on the cross, there is no salvation. All crowns, and rewards go to Him, Amen.
Matthew 6:14 "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you:"
Jesus is telling us that if you forgive men of the little things that men do to you, and over look the trouble that someone may cause you, then in turn God will do the same for the troubles that you have caused to Him and others. If you want God to answer your prayers, this is a good place to start.
For this to apply to you, there should have been an act that required someone to ask your apology.
Matthew 6:15 "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Even though a person is a child of God and calls themselves a Christian, they may be just a babe in Christ, and not versed in the Word. This is why we are required by Christ to forgive them, for in innocence they may have not known their wrong against you. Our Heavenly Father will take your short comings to the same degree that you have taken others wrongs against you. You must do this, or God will not forgive you, which means, God will not answer your prayers.
Matthew 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."
Now we are talking about fasting, or the giving up food or something in the service to God. Jesus is telling us that when we fast, we should not be like those that call great attention to their fast. They moan, "Oh Lord, how we suffer as Christians for you." The continue with their belly-aching, until they become a pain. What kind of an example are they setting for the non-believer, the run most of the people away.
Friend, all their play acting, and attention is all that they are going to get out of their display for attention. That is their reward.
Matthew 6:17 "But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;"
Is the way to truly fast through self torture? In Isaiah 58:5; "Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?
You had better get the drift and feeling that God is putting into these questions about this kind of a fast. You weeping and carrying on about serving Me, if you can't do it with a smile on your face, and set a good example, don't do it. You put yourself as an salesmen, and then paint yourself up in such a horrible fashion. God is telling them if you can't love Me, and follow Me joyfully, then get out of My sight. You got the picture.
Isaiah 58:6; "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?"
God is telling us here the reason for the fast, you fast to show your love for me, your joy in having been chosen. To "loose the bands of wickedness," is to expose the hypocrites for what they are, play actors and not the real thing. To undo the heavy burdens is to take away the dos and don't shackles that the religious organizations have placed on the Christians. Those synagogues of Satan bind the people with rules that God never intended. To truly fast is to cut all those man-made shackles away.
God is telling you that your fast should give them eyes to see and ears to hear, that they can be truly free, to fast, and give the Word to others. The reason for the fast is to draw attention to the love of God and the freedom He gives, and not some torture chamber that God has put you in. It is to break every yoke that those religious hypocrites have put you under.
The fast is to obtain from using the physical bread, and giving forth the spiritual bread of life. It is a time for teaching the Word to others, and showing them that God's Word releases you from all the burdens that the religious world would bind you to. Your outward expression should be of joy, and happiness in serving God, and if you can't do it God's way, it is better for you that it isn't done.
Isaiah 58:7; "Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?"
The true bread of Life is Jesus Christ, while "thy house" is God's "House of Israel", and they don't even know who they are, because they are starving for the bread of life. The naked are those that have no righteous acts, when they enter the Millennium age, for they have throne all their rewards at the feet of the Antichrist. Your only garment to be worn in the Millennium age, is made up of your righteous works and acts done while in the flesh body. That is how you clothe the naked, you teach them God's Word, so their ways and deeds conform to the His ways, and then they will have a garment in that Millennium age.
"That thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh", is a idiom, a figure of speech that shows others that you are a kind person, and show compassion for others. The fast is done by doing our Lord's work.
Matthew 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."
When we fast, we become the salesmen for Christ, and that is the time to look sharp. You are to be the representative for the most powerful force in the universe, our Heavenly Father, and that you full effort. No one should be able to even tell that you are in a fast. Jesus is telling us not to put on our Halloween costume, but our Sunday best. It is the time to shave, and shower, and look sharp. The fast is not for others to see your sacrifice, but our Heavenly Father to see the intent of our heart. Then our fast is received and rewarded openly, with blessings that only God can give.
Matthew 6:19 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal."
This is how we are to look upon riches, and there is no disgrace on being wealthy, if it is the rewards from the blessings of God. God promised us in His Word that when we follow his Word, and do thing as taught in His Word, then He would reward us openly, and those blessings are for this earth age as well as the next.
There is nothing wrong is storing up provisions for the future, and many people today store up to a year, to protect themselves from hard times. Jesus is telling us that storing in excess, for the sake of greed, and that is to become a religious form to you, it is wrong. Are you putting that before God, and your service to Him?
Matthew 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:"
There is a big difference between wealth by traditions, and wealth by blessings of God. Those riches that you store up in heaven can never be stolen, because there are no thieves there. Part of your wealth when you become a son of the Living God, is the inheritance that comes with your adoption into His family. It is not just things, but in the position, and responsibility that comes with the position. My friend, there is no way that you can out give God, for in the end, when the records of your deeds are accounted for, each will be well rewarded for.
The greatest treasure anyone can have, is to know, and be part of our Lord Jesus Christ's kingdom. To know that the bonds of our sins are gone because of the price that Jesus paid on the cross. Eternal life is only possible because of the blood of Jesus Christ, and that is the greatest gift anyone can have. Any one can have that gift, just for the taking, and you receive that gift by your repenting of your sins, in Jesus Name, and believing in Him and turning from those wicked ways to God's way.
Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Your heart is the intellect of your soul, and that is contained in your mind. It is what you think, and what you hold to be dear in your mind. If the making of money, for money's sake is foremost in your efforts, then that is where your heart is. However, if while serving our Lord, He pours the blessings on you, then your treasurers and heart are in the same place, where it belongs. Don't let earthly things get in from of our heavenly Father.
Matthew 6:22 "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light."
What is in your mind, is the image of your soul. If Christ is in your mind, the light that comes forth from you, is the spiritual light that only Christ can give. Your whole body will project what is in your heart, and the world will see that. "Single" here is "perfectly clear", and when you are set in your mind the teaching of the Word of God, then what ever you do will reflect your singleness of mind. We have to sustain ourselves while we are in the world, but in our occupation, we practice the principles that Christ is teaching us.
Matthew 6:23 "But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness., how great is that darkness."
This is given in the spiritual, and if everything in your mind is darkness, and God is left out, the Love of God will not be there. When your mind [heart] thinks continually, only about things of this world, then that is what your whole life is; your dress, deeds, actions, and your thought life all become the ways of the world.
Matthew 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."
"Mammon" is an Aramaic word that means "riches by ill-gotten gain". If you are the richest person in the world, and you earned it by doing things God's way, that is not mammon. However if your gain is from cheating the public, and robbing from the poor, that is mammon. God does bless His own, and you can expect to be blessed when you support His work, tithe, and direct your life in accordance with His Word. Riches then become your "badge of honor." Don't let some clown put you on a guilt trip because of the blessings that God has given you.
The message that Jesus is giving us is that when we obtain riches, we cannot be of service to both God and the money. One will take priority. If you serve God, then the money will become secondary, but must be used wisely.
Matthew 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 then meat, and the body than raiment?"
"Therefore", because of this, take no worry of the life that you live in this world. Translate "life", eternal life more then meat. Jesus is telling us to fix in our mind that within our physical body, there is a spiritual body, and that that spiritual body, or our soul is far more important that this temporary body of the flesh.
The time is coming very shortly when we will step out of this body of the flesh, and our soul body will seperate and return to the Lord. This will happen either upon our death, or at the sounding of the seventh trumpet. Paul tells up in Corinthians:
I Corinthians 15:50; "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." This flesh body will not exist when Jesus comes back to earth. Corruption is our flesh body, while incorruption is the soul body.
I Corinthians 15:51; "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed," A mystery is something that is unknown that Paul is going to reveal to us. "All" means all people in the flesh body will be changed, not fly out, but changed into their Soul, incorruptible bodies. The word "sleep", in the text means "die".
I Corinthians 15:55; "In a moment in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
Friend, We are living in the time when we see daily the signs of the end times, and the marking of the last generation is the establishing of the tiny nation of Israel. The one world political beast is a reality, and the ten horns of power, the agencies of the United Nation are here. It is time to get straight in your mind where your priorities are, for when that trumpet sounds, we will all be ushered into the next age, the time when Jesus will come to earth and establish His world kingdom.
Physical things just won't matter then, and the only riches you will have are in your righteous acts, that were done as given to the Lord. Your position in that age is determined by your relationship to our Lord, through your repentance for your sins.
Matthew 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?"
Jesus is telling us, don't worry about our needs, we are to observe how our Father in heaven takes care of even the little birds. Have you noticed how each of the birds have been given the instinct to know what they should do in providing for their needs. Each kind has different needs, and care and yet year after year they survive and are protected. Birds don't sow a crop, neither do they bring in a harvest.
If God will do that for each individual bird, think of how much more His concern is for you. God thinks much of His nature and creation, and He thinks that much more about you. We are to follow His commandments, and use common sense that He has given us, He will take good care of us.
Matthew 6:27 "Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?"
Jesus is asking, which one of you can add one moment to your life, by worrying. In reality it works just the opposite.
Matthew 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:"
Matthew 6:29 "And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."
Friend, there is only one apparel that you want to be concerned about having on, and that is the "gospel armor", of Ephesians 6:10-20. God will take care of His own.
Matthew 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?"
Have you noticed how Jesus is referring to very natural things here; the birds, the flowers, and now the grass, to show us how God takes care of His creation. Jesus is telling us that when God says He will bless you, then He will. Do you have the faith to believe that?
Matthew 6:31 "Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? ' or, what shall we drink? ' or, wherewithal shall we be clothed?"
Matthew 6:32 "(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things."
The Gentiles have no faith, and they worry about all the things of the world; however you are one of God's children, and He knows what you need, and will provide those things for you. We are to have faith in Him and allow Him to provide for us, then thank God for His provision.
Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
When you truly want the kingdom and blessings of God, then it become paramount that we seek the Kingdom of God first. What we do, and say are all directed towards the adding to the kingdom of God, the King of that kingdom is Jesus Christ, and His dominion is obtained through following His will. That will is written in His Word, the Bible. When that will becomes our focus, then God will add all the things necessary for this life.
Matthew 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."
Within all of us there is a natural tendency to worry when things just don't go right. We get down, and just start mumbling and talking to our self. This is a lack of faith, and a sign that we have taken our focus off of seeking first the kingdom of God. God is telling us, don't worry about tomorrow, because I am going to allow Satan to send you all the trouble today that you can handle.
However, if you have the faith, God will always kick those rocks out of your path, to keep you from stumbling. We can handle the little pebbles, and God will take care of the rest.
Editor's Note::: We are going to stop here in our "Book of Matthew Study" to review some commentary from chapter6 in an earlier study we published of Matthew. I don't believe you will find much difference in the general opinion of these two authors, but to read another person's perspective of events that took place may prove helpful in your understanding of the gospel of Matthew.
"Do you seek to please God or men?"
At the conclusion of our last study, as we completed chapter five in the Book of Matthew, Jesus Christ told His disciples to become "perfect", which means to become complete or "mature" in the Word of God that we might be able through the knowledge and wisdom of His Word to deal with others as our Father would have us do, according to His will. In today's study Christ is going to continue His private instruction to His disciples on the mount and continue to compare their righteousness to that of the religious hypocrites, phonies, who follow after the traditions of men. In doing so, He is going to teach us concerning the five following categories:
Almsgiving
Prayer
Fasting
Riches
Cares
Hopefully you will be able to "see" the difference between Christianity and Churchianity, which is but a "religion" based on traditions, not on the Word of God.
The Greek word translated "Take heed" in this verse is "pros-echo" which means to "turn one's mind, thought, or attention to a thing, be intent upon it" (see "A Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament", E.W. Bullinger, pg. 366)! So when Jesus Christ says "prosecho" to us, He is instructing us to turn our attention to the points He is making and take a personal inventory to "see" whether our conduct aligns with the Word of God or the traditions of men as exemplified by the hypocrites, which means the play-actors, i.e. those who play the preacher/church game.Matthew 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.
Also, according to all the critical texts the phrase "your alms" should read "your righteousness" which is what these five subjects we are now covering (almsgiving, prayer, fasting, riches, and cares) have to do with. Remember Christ said that your righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees (hypocrites) else you are simply not a disciple and servant of Jesus Christ and therefore "ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Mat. 5:20). You must be able to "see" through the hypocrisy of those who claim to be Christ's representatives but in fact have only a form of "religion" made up of the traditions of men and deceptively labeled "Christian". Why do we say "deceptively" labeled Christian?
Because a Christ-ian is a "Christ-man", a person who follows Jesus Christ, the Word of God, and not a follower of some church system laden with rituals and ceremonies and praise and worship services, etc., while its members remain Biblically empty-headed, i.e. void of the knowledge of His Word.
So "take heed" and examine yourself and have the courage to do a "reality check" against His Word. And should you discover that what you do in serving and giving to God, which is your alms, are done with the intent to be seen of men and women, then "know" that you have a real ego problem... because the glory you seek is for yourself and not for your Father which is heaven. Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Do not sound a trumpet means "don't blow your own horn" to make an announcement, to draw attention to yourself, to make yourself look good and show people what a magnificent and magnanimous person you are! If you do blow your own horn, not only will that "glory" be the totality of your reward, but eventually, lest ye repent, Luke 14:11 will come to pass on your behalf: "For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."[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.
Just do that which is right according to His Word and let it go at that! You do not have to let others, including members of the body of Christ, know what you did either! For if you are mature (perfect) in the Word of God then the fact that your heavenly Father "knows" should be sufficient. In other words, just as one who is "mature" can be patient and have peace of mind in knowing that our Father will execute vengeance on His/our enemies, one who is "mature" also knows that He will not forget to reward those who love and serve Him. However, if you seek the glory of men to build yourself up, that is all the reward you are ever going to get. So glory hard![3] But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Do not be one who "wears your Christianity on your sleeve". In fact, be extra careful in your business dealings with those who do, those who go out of their way to boast and make it a point that they are Christian! Remember that Christ said to let your conversation be yea, yea, and nay, nay, so don't claim Christianity to "confirm to others" that your word is good... for if it is not, and it must not be if in your mind you need to use something else to make you "appear" credible, then you bring dishonor to Christ.[4] That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Oh how "religious" the hypocrites like to appear (act)! Many sport fancy robes. Some wear religious headgear or other hair coverings. Some get into special pious prayer positions, etc. All this they do "for show" which is to "be seen of men"! Is this how we are instructed to act?[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.
Here is the answer:
The word "closet" means a "secret place", especially of the mind. So no matter where you are physically, whether in a crowd or all alone, at any time whatsoever you can spiritually enter into that private place in your mind and shut the door, i.e. shut out the rest of the world, and speak directly to your Father.[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.
Stop and consider for a moment how one communicates with his or her earthly father. For example, imagine a teenager going to his father to ask to borrow the car for the evening and saying over and over to him in a monotone and drawn out voice, "Father may I have the car keys... to..nigh..ite? Father may I have the car keys... to..nigh..ite?", and so on! How effective do think that would be with most fathers? I mean, with everyone else you talk in a normal intelligent manner but with him you go into this religious mode thing? Go figure![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.
You see, to use vain repetitions is akin to stammering which is very similar to chanting. To that end, repeating a prayer in a ritual fashion over and over again is not something which comes from the heart and furthermore, it is really not personal communication at all, is it? Do you think that your heavenly Father is totally unaware of what is going on in the lives of His children, of which you are one?
Note: If you would like a great example of the vain repetitions of priests vs. the direct communication of God's servants to their Father, then read 1 Kings 18:25-39 concerning Elijah and the priests of Baal!
So be "mature" and grow up and cast aside the childish traditions of men! Your Father is very intelligent and it is an affront to speak to Him in such an impersonal and chanting manner! Take heed therefore to the instruction of Jesus Christ in the following verse and "do not be as one who uses vain (empty) repetitions"!
Maturity is knowing and believing Jesus Christ, the Word of God, who just said that your Father knows what you have need of even before you ask Him. Therefore, there is no need even to use vain repetitions, is there? HE KNOWS! In fact, just to confirm that He knows, we have documentation that sometimes He even provides the answer before His servants are finished with their prayers.[8] Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.
Such was the case with Daniel!
So how do the servants of God pray and make supplications to their Father? Well, there is a proverb that begins with "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he..." (Prov. 23:7). And so it is with the prayer and communication that comes forth from any person. It originates with that which is in his or her heart, i.e. a person's thoughts and intents! To wit, we have already "seen" in the "Beatitudes" of Mat. 5 what is in the "heart" of a true disciple of Christ, remember? First and foremost, they are "poor in spirit" meaning they are humble before God and seek always to give Him the praise and glory, not themselves. Secondly, they "mourn" the injustice caused by the iniquitous and so they long for the kingdom to come, which is the return of the King and His dominion to be set up on earth as it is in heaven. To that end, they are "meek" in allowing the Word of God to guide and direct them in His "wonderful works" according to His will, that they may be of service in "finishing the work" He has sent them to do! Therefore, the prayers they make reflect that which is in their hearts, which is that they "love the Lord their God with all their heart, and with all their soul, and with all their mind" and they "love their neighbors as themselves" (Matthew 22:36-40).Daniel 9:21-23
Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. [22] And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. [23]At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.
Jesus is now going to show us the "manner" in which His disciples pray and you will find contained in this manner, or model, "7" petitions. The first three are with respect to their love for their Father and the last four pertain to those things which are necessary for one to be a "just" (zadok) servant in carrying the light to the world, i.e. they concern their love for their neighbor, their fellow man. Here is a chart showing the reflection of the "beautiful attitudes" of the children of light in the "manner of the prayer of the elect", which is instead called the Lord's prayer.
| PETITION | BEATITUDE |
| Thy name be hallowed | Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit (humble before God) |
| Thy kingdom come | Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn (Isa. 61:2) |
| Thy will be done | Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek (seeking His will) |
| Give us our daily bread | Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness |
| Forgive us our debts | Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful |
| Lead us not into temptation | Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart |
| Deliver us from evil | Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers
Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. |
The very first thing on the mind of His children is gratitude and their reverence (love) for their Father.Matthew 6:9
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Note: The ironic part about "The Lord's Prayer" is that Christ said just before giving this "model" prayer not to use vain repetitions, and yet churches do exactly that and repeat this "manner of prayer" as a ritual itself.
Those who "mourn" pray for the kingdom to be established and His will, not ours, to be done on earth, as it is in heaven.[10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Christ is that daily bread which comes down from above (as manna) and He is the Living Water and His disciples do eat of that bread and drink of that water for they do hunger and thirst after righteousness. And though we are in the midst of the great famine of these last days (Amos 8:11-13), His servants are filled to the full for there is always a feast at the table of the Lord. You see, His servants pray for the knowledge and wisdom to carry out His will in "declaring His righteousness" to this generation.[11] Give us this day our daily bread.
A "wise" person knows full well that we all fall short in the flesh, that we all have faults. Furthermore, the wise know that some people's faults are more glaring than others. So let us be mature and show mercy and forgiveness towards others and let God be the one who judges![12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
One other important thing to make note of here is that asking for forgiveness is NOT the number one priority of God's elect! Some people are so consumed with their own sins and or penitence that their prayers consist of little more than "woe is me, what a sinner am I". To that end, here is a profound quote by E.W. Bullinger from the conclusion of his book titled, "How to Enjoy the Bible", Kregel Publishers, pgs. 416-417:
Are "you" your favorite subject? Do thoughts about "you" fill your "heart" to the point you have no "leisure", i.e. free time, to be occupied with God and "hear" His Word? Are you busy "condemning yourself" and thinking about what a sinner you are or what a low-life you have been in the past or what you should be doing or haven't done that you should have? Or are you busy trying to "be good" to atone for your sins, i.e. make up for what you have done or didn't do, to make yourself "feel" better and more worthy? Or are you busy trying to "convince yourself" that you have faith or that you are a good person when you feel like you are not? If any of these are true then you are not at "peace with God" and you do not have peace of mind, and the reason is that you do not really believe the words of Him who is far greater than you and who "Promised" He has forgiven and cleansed you when you confessed to Him. The Truth will set you free and it will free-up a great deal of wasted "processing time" in your head! May God give you wisdom to understand the rest of this profound quote:"We have written only for those who have "peace with God" (Rom. 5:1), and enjoy "the peace of God" (Phil. 4:7), and know the God of Peace (Rom. 15:33). Only such have leisure to be occupied with God. Only such can "sit at the Lord's feet and hear His Word" (Luke 10:39 R.V.).
All others must be "cumbered about much serving." They must need be occupied with themselves: either as sinners taken up with their sins, or as penitents with their repentance, or as believers with their faith, or as saints with their holiness.
And now last but not least on the "mature" minds of God's elect are their trials and tribulations and the deliverance from the evil one, which includes persecution and the delivering up to councils and synagogues which is yet to come. Why is this mentioned last? Because they know the Plan of God includes those things and furthermore He has ALL POWER in both heaven and earth and has already defeated death (Satan)! In other words, there is no doubt in their minds that He has the power to deliver them! You see, the shining of the their light which shall bring forth persecution and the witnessing of Mat. 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, Rev. 11, etc., show forth the glory of God! Compare that attitude with those who make "the Rapture" their number one priority.Unless and until we know our completeness in Christ (Col 2:10), and "believe God" when He declares that "He has made us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light" (Col. 1:12), we shall be in such a condition of conscience, and heart, and life as will not leave us any time of occupation with God.
Instead of going on our way "giving thanks to God" for what He has done, we shall be giving way to mourning for what we have not done. We shall be like David when he "sat in his house" and was occupied with what he would do for the Lord. For, not until we learn what the Lord has done and purposed to do for us, shall we be ready, with David, to go in and sit before the Lord (2 Sam. 7:1:18).
In the former case David's thought was, "Who I am"; in the latter he was exclaiming, "Who am I, O Lord God?"
This does not mean that we will not have temptations, i.e. trials and tribulations! On the contrary, Christ said that if they persecuted Him, and they did, they will also persecute you (John 15:20)! The point is that our Father has promised that He will not allow us to be led into "undeliverable" trials and temptations. In other words, He will always provide us a way of spiritual escape that we may be able to bear our trials and tribulations.Matthew 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.
Paul expounded upon this:
And we know with full assurance that He "will never leave nor forsake us" and that He is able to deliver us because He has ALL POWER in both heaven and earth. (Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.")1 Cor. 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Now Christ is going to emphasis the importance of being merciful and forgiving to others for their trespasses.
Matthew 6:14
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Looks like we "make our own bed", doesn't it? Would it not be hypocritical to expect others to be kind and forgiving toward us while we are judgmental and grudgmental towards them? Again, that doesn't mean we let others take advantage of us or rip us off while we just stand by and do nothing about it. Rather be "mature" and use wisdom in understanding that we all have weaknesses and at times we do things we shouldn't. Paul understood this concerning himself![15] But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Do you?
Romans 7:14-15 "For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. [15] For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I."
Again, the righteousness of His disciples, i.e. their doing that which is right, is compared to the hypocrites, the play actors, "religious" people! Don't put on a show to be seen of men. Do not even boast about how much you pray and study the Word of God, etc.[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.
Christianity is not a "religion", so don't be a fake! "Be real" and "down to earth" so to speak![17] But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
The bottom line is, "Do you seek to please God or men?" The fact is, those who are "mature (perfect) in the Word of God, know that you CANNOT have it both ways![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.
"Just how does one make a "spiritual deposit" in heaven?"
The special object and "Divine purpose in the Gospel of Matthew is to set forth the Lord as Yahveh's King" who shall return at the sound of the 7th Trump and establish the Kingdom of God upon the earth. To that end, those who love and serve the King of kings in this final generation have a part in preparing the way for His return at the second advent and though they seek not glory for themselves, they shall be richly rewarded for the wonderful works they do according to His will, which rewards we read of in the Eight Beatitudes. Not only that, it is also written that He has made them kings and priests to reign with Him on the earth (Rev. 5:10 "And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.")
Since the beginning of the 5th chapter, we have been studying the in-depth teachings of Jesus Christ in what is commonly called the Sermon on the Mount, which we noted from the beginning is not "general instruction to the multitudes" but rather "personal instruction to His disciples" who follow Him and seek to hear His voice and obey His commands. (Matthew 5:1 "And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain: and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him.") Isn't it interesting that when we see Hollywood movies depicting Christ giving the Sermon on the Mount, we see Him either standing before throngs of people or walking through the crowds. However, such was not the case at all and as we continue in this 6th chapter of Matthew He is still teaching His disciples who came to Him on the mount apart from the multitudes.
As background for what we will be learning in today's study we should be reminded that Satan, the king of Tyrus, effectively used prosperity and merchandising (Ezek. 28:16), i.e. trafficking, in the first earth age to draw (chata) one third of God's children (Rev. 12:4) away from the mercy seat of truth and justice. And you know what? He's doing a pretty good job accomplishing the same thing at the end of this earth age too, wouldn't you say?Are you familiar with the riches of the great harlot in Revelation 18 who makes the whole world spiritually drunken and the merchants of the earth to become rich through the abundance of her delicacies? Rev. 18:3 "For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies."Matthew 6:19
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
However, a "wise" person, even one who has read the great Book of Ecclesiastes (Christ will mention Solomon in this teaching), knows that this flesh age and all that is contained herein is "vanity", emptiness, i.e. it is TEMPORAL for it shall ALL pass away at the sound of the 7th Trump... including these flesh bodies (1 Cor. 15:51-52). So while many of our brothers and sisters spend an inordinate amount of their time seeking security and peace of mind in the "system", with all its retirement funds and insurances with assurances, entitlements, etc., God's elect are busy doing their Father's will knowing full well that though they must live in this world, their heart and soul are not of this world. In other words, God's elect look past this flesh and all that it has to offer because they know that there is NOTHING in this world that can compare to the riches and glory of the kingdom of God.
So take heed and be sure not to get "caught up" in the system or pulled off track (drawn away) to the point that you become too busy to serve God.
The Greek word for "treasures" is "thesauros" which is #G2344 in your Strong's Concordance and means; a deposit, that is, wealth, (literally or figuratively):--treasure. So let's keep this real simple and use an example. When you "lay up" or make a deposit into the bank or your 401k you stand the chance of losing it, slowly through inflation and taxation or having it ripped off by thieves. I think the ex-employees of Enron, once the largest corporation in America, will attest to the crooks and thieves stealing their treasures, i.e. their retirement money! That is not to say that we should not have retirement accounts or wisely plan for the future, etc. However, we should always be wiser that the serpent and know where our true trust and security and peace of mind do lie, eternally.[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:
So here's a good question, "Just how does one make a "spiritual deposit" in heaven?" Dr. Luke's account gives us great insight into the answer, i.e. how to "lay up treasures" in heaven. It is actually very simple if you have eyes to see. Christ says to "Sell that you have, and give alms".
Well first of all, what is it that God's elect have to sell?
Just the most precious thing in all the universe... the Word of God, His precious truth which gives life, eternal life. How you do your "selling" depends on the talents you have which have been given unto you (Matthew 25:29 "For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.").
The word "bags" is #G905 and means a pouch (for money) and to "wax not old" means it will never wear out. You see, when you make a spiritual deposit in heaven there is no one who can take it from you. It is yours for all eternity. Then too, the "wise" also know that the time is soon coming, the hour of darkness, when Satan, the spurious messiah, is here defacto and no one will be able to spiritually "buy or sell" unless he or she is part of and has the authority of (the name of) the beast! That leaves God's elect out, doesn't it? Rev. 13:17 "And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."Luke 12:33
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
The bottom line to all of this is, "Where and with whom does your heart lie?" It what and in whom do you put your trust and security? Do you desire more to make deposits in the First Bank and Trust Co. or is your number one priority to love and serve your Father by declaring His righteousness, thereby making deposits in the First Bank of Heaven?
This is extremely important in this generation where Jeshurun has "waxed fat" (Deut. 32), i.e. America has become wealthy and prosperous, because it really boils down to the difference between light and darkness.Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
"If your eye be single" means "if your eye is clear" as in focused with singleness of mind on the things above (Col 3:2), then you are a child of light and one who walks in and is filled with that light!Matthew 6:22
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
Again, the difference is like "day and night" for it separates the children of the day from those who walk in the night.1 Thes. 5:5
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
The point is that even if you know some truth and see some light, if you are focused on the wealth and prosperity of the harlot then your light doesn't shine! The question is, will you prostitute yourself (pornos) and sell out to the peace and safety and prosperity of the New World Order? Remember Esau, called a fornicator (pornos) in Hebrews 12, sold out his birthright for a bowl of red pottage? Hebrews 12:16 "Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright."Matthew 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!
A person who has both "eyes to see" and "eyes that are clear (focused on selling and giving alms)" is one who lets his or her light shine before men!
So which is it for you? You cannot it both ways! You cannot be fully focused on the things of this world and at the same time be fully focused on serving God. Why not? Because to be fully focused means just that!Luke 11:36
If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.
The word "serve" used here means not only "belong wholly and be entirely under command to" but it means to voluntarily make yourself servant to someone or something! It is in whom and in what YOU decide to put your trust. You must choose between God and mammon because as Christ said, you cannot serve both. Here is the word "mammon" as define by Dr. Strong and Dr. Bullinger respectively:Matthew 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.
Mammon is an interesting word in that is of Chaldean origin letting us know it has to do with Babylon and the avarice or excessive, insatiable desire for wealth or gain. Well, it sure is obvious that most of our leaders and politicians have jumped in bed with the harlot. Don't follow the leaders... follow your Father's Word with singleness of purpose in serving Him in these last days.mammon = mammonas mam-mo-nas' #G3126
Of Chaldee origin (confidence, that is, figuratively wealth, personified); mammonas, that is, avarice (deified):—mammon.mammon = mammonas Chald., that in which one trusts; hence, mammon, i.e. wealth, riches, (non occ.) (Critical Lexicon and Concordance..., E.W. Bullinger, pg. 476.)
Yes, but you don't understand! I've got bills to pay and obligations to fulfill and mouths to feed, etc., etc.! Well, no one is saying to quit your job and go stand on the corner and preach! But don't you know (next verse) that there is more to life than food and clothing and material things?
To that end, Jesus Christ is now going to put things in perspective and make a PROMISE to you that if you will love and serve God in these last days, He will "add" to you (not do it all for you) so that you will not have to be anxious and spend time "worrying" about the necessities of life. In other words, if you serve God and "sell that you have and gives alms" then He promises to take care of you.
"Therefore" means "on account of this"! In other words, on account of the fact that you cannot serve two masters, if you choose to serve Him then do not worry, which is to take anxious thought, about the things mentioned in verse 25! Worrying never helped anything anyway! It is a total waste of time and energy! In fact, there is nothing so bad that worry won't make worse.Matthew 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?
Question? Do you not think God is not able to take care of you? Take a lesson from His nature.
God gives the fowl of the air instinct to know just what to do, like swoop down and pluck up the worm or the corn seed, and you know what? He can do the same for you. (Personally I'm not big on worms but one should never look a gift-worm in the mouth!)[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?
Next point...
The subject is your life and this "adding one cubit" refers to the longevity of your life. Not only is the point made in scripture that your life (in the flesh) is short, but can you extend the length of your life even for one moment? Not only can you NOT do that, but the fact is you could be here one moment and be gone the next, right? We've all seen it happen![27] Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
Lilies neither till and plant as men do when preparing to grow flax, nor do they spin the flax as women do to make clothing. Yet they are beautifully arrayed.[28] And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
When God clothes someone or some thing, there is no comparison to what man can do! Solomon is mentioned here because this wisest of all men had more money, wealth, power, women, booze, and good times than any man ever on earth. He also documented that there is not enough of any of those things in any combination or in totality to bring happiness to the flesh man who walks under the sun for anymore than a short time. The flesh is just never satisfied.[29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
It is also interesting to note that the most common lily is all "dressed in white" like the white linen garments of the saints, which are made up of their righteousness. Rev. 19:8 "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints."Your righteous acts are the only things you can take with you when you leave the flesh.
Again, this old flesh and this flesh age are both temporal and you have heard the saying, "You can't take it with you!" Well, it is a true statement although it applies only to the material things of this world. But you see, you are not leaving this world with any material things nor even in a flesh body, but rather by being birthed into your spiritual body (read 1 Cor. 15 & Jn. 3). And although you were born into this world "naked" you need not be born "naked" into the spirit! However, if you have no righteous acts and have walked in darkness, you will not only be naked but you will ashamed of your nakedness! Rev. 16:15 "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame."
To anxiously "worry" is to doubt the promises of God which shows a lack of faith. A lack of faith is caused by a lack of "substance", a lack of foundation (Heb. 11:1), a lack of knowledge and understanding of His Word. So don't worry about the "things" of this flesh nor project into the future and worry about something which has not even come to pass. Again, that is not to say we do not work and earn our keep. On the contrary, God's elect are hard workers. But your Father will see to it that blessings flow your way and you get some breaks so there is no need to be anxious and let worry occupy your mind and perhaps even incapacitate you. Neither should one who puts his or her trust in God and not mammon be anxious about the five month period of the reign of Satan as the false-christ. A word to the wise![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?
Always use wisdom, but do not become a worry-wart and be filled with anxiety. Why? Your Father knows exactly what's going on in your life! You are His precious child!Matthew 6:31
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
These "things" are the food, drink, and clothing mentioned in verse 31. Remember from Mat. 6:8 that He even knows what you have need of (both physically and spiritually) before you ask of Him in prayer. It is kind of like... don't you as a parent know when your kids need a new pair of shoes or that they are going to need supper? I think so![32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
The point is...
That is His promise! Sell that ye have and give alms in declaring His righteousness to this froward generation and He shall see to it that you have want for nothing. You see, He can both change the course of rivers and cause men to change their minds... for your benefit![33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
So... "What Me Worry?"
Fear not! Trust and believe in His promises. Do the work that is set before you according to His Will and lay up for yourself treasures in heaven. The day is coming that you will glad you did. In fact, if you are one of His elect... you are already glad you did for it is indeed a great pleasure to serve God in this final generation! Mammon just doesn't compare![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.
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