Matthew 6

No Rewind

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.

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.

3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

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.

It appears at such a time as this that now we're seeing the service to men then in full of the text. Last time we'd looked at how the city that was set on a hill cannot be hid. Then as with Joel in seeing the visions, there's that holy mountain that is there, the city of the great King. There's care of it too as more than the sparrows for the Father indeed knows we have need of it before we even ask and in whose name do the Gentiles trust. If they've trusted on him indeed it's because he's been good time and again. There's nothing too hard for him there in the midst. Nor is there unrighteousness with him as some have intended truly in keeping any good thing that is needful. Then too you're probably wondering where does profit in the Lord's service come in at in this thing that you'd seen. Maybe you've been like the Scribes and the Pharisees in any way laboring. Maybe you've been like the hypocrites begging for alms in the streets. They trusted God didn't they to feed them and then on back when life was so full of especial challenges and even today more than so then. Giving then hardly requires a public collection nor yet the earstwhile approval of man. So too is there a matter of announcing the needs that are mentioned and letting your body know from one state to the next that there is a provision for them. Though it's what God does is it not is the sustainer of life and all men. Hardly a day goes by where they do not cry out for him. Though there remains to be seen somewhat to them that have a service perspective as seen in their midst. Somehow they've found themselves wondering how their service to God has even benefitted them as a person. See, that's very much where the no reward comes in at of the text. The hypocrites then who stand loudly announcing and asking for prayers as though these should have somewhat of solutions instead. There's a reward isn't there from it all and it's just of all men. That's where there's glory though not there of the Father with him but it's quite frankly one of all men. Much as di Satan asking the Lord to make the stones bread that it seemed and to throw himself down from off of the temple there for surely then would the angels just catch himself proper. Though with the Father in Heaven down before men himself in need of some help more time and again having so experienced the fullest extent of the human condition. Consider too if you will he's not saying that there's anything wrong with giving and alms just that it should as always be as unto him. There's a reward there indeed of the Father in heaven to be seen in the text. Though you like the priests might not see it for then. Though with doing these things in secret as unto him there's only a what are you doing it for then and the Father there waiting that's stored up in the end.

No Recompense

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.

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.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Then after all this time you're about to go to God in prayer again for his will and about the needs in the midst. There's really not much else to do is there besides to go to him there in prayer seeing above all else him who lives in your midst. Though for them that know him so having frequently visited there remains to be seen an all seeing God for your person. It's he doesn't it that formed the whole world and set the stars in motion that made your life and mine with just a breath of his notion. That's to say he's the God who's very much visible seeing who lives. As Hebrews would've told he's the God who is in our midst. He's got all providing with him that much for sure as the great High Priest and captain of our salvation or just all who would but trust in him then and prayer. So it remains that we're not above asking God for our provisions as would our eternal Father who had somewhat to offer. It's not a secret then certainly not so much as our relationship with him then should be. Then too as the city set on a hill which cannot be hid, or the candle set on a lampstand and displayed in the house to give light in the midst though as the old gospel would've put it best, 'he leadeth me' time and again. Better still to make sure he's the one you leading so and then on from there on up to glory until such things are most of all visible and we're seeing God in his glory above all who lives. It seems then that there's very much just the reward of the Lord. As promised to Abram so long ago, he's our eternal great reward down here below as well as welcomed home then with him proper. For he's our God isn't he who leads us all there. So that if there's any in the house it's seeing him above all who lives very much visible. As Hebrews would've said that faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not even seen. So then there remains but the knowing of him. He knows his children doesn't he intimately being the keeper and leader of all of their ways or he should've been really had these but come to him then in prayer. So then we pray not because we haven't and are in need yet again but simply because we're coming to him above all who reigns. You can't catch sight of this without knowing him first really and truly and so too merely just to find rest there with him.

No Response

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

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.

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Then we pray after this sort and manner of course that his will be done up there as down here in our midst. It's something that's been done all along isn't it then though perhaps just our acknowledgement of such is taking some time to catch up. The daily bread also comes but only of him for it's the Father's good will in doing well to his children. Certainly he wouldn't be in the habit of giving out stones and quite possibly some scorpions and things that would sting or just to be hurting all of his children. The daily bread then gives way to some debtors and those in need of collections. For the Heavenly Father knows there are some dependent on us just as we so are so often depend on just him then again. Basically all that's to say that there's temptation around and that's so often just to take matters into our very own hands but then again that's where the evil comes in. It's a temptation of God isn't of which James had been speaking to take what is rightfully his along with his place and his function. Therefore, in renaming the Scripture from anything but what he would say it seems that we're only just shortchanging the gospel, my friends. Then a long with the leading comes a taking over of evil yet that's where his power and authority comes in at as that of his kingdom though to be long lost from the midst though very much visible so as and then. The forgiveness it seems is merely but as unto all men. For whom the Father has forgiven much that it seems we ought also to be just like him though often in the midst of our dreams. Only he has the power then to straighten out all things of the kingdom and also of the matter at hand so then just to be found in the land. By trusting him are we doing good in the midst and giving him the praise and honor and glory of such. Anything done then that we'd know is only of him our Savior our Lord and our very best Friend. Should there then be forgiveness of sin with him to be seen in the midst, you can be sure it's come from him then instead.

No Reward

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.

17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

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.

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Notice if you will with me how that our Father has everything handled here that you see. Indeed, when the needs come before the Lord or there's some wrong that's been done or life just isn't turning out the way that it should, we too come before him. Though not as some ought as Paul had once said where we present our bodies a living sacrifice unto God which is our reasonable service. Then too, there's some turning away from the confirmation of this world and unto the transformation of Christ by the renewing of our mind. So often though when it comes down to it really we renew our mind with anything other than Christ living Word. Thus the fasting ought to be unto him then as well and as with everything not just for the praise of all men. See, last time we'd seen that what you're doing it for produces what sort of thing that you'd seek. In particular, earthly appearances matter but little when it comes to lay before the Great King. Thus if there's some fasting and disfigurement at hand, and of sad countenances too, it appears then that men would simply be the judge of these too. That is to say they'll be there for support with all the latest expressions of sympathy just found in the masses. Though when you're aiming to seek unto God, you'll come before him in spirit and in truth for his Word is truth. Thus, knowing this aim that you seek is but as pleases him, you'll do a number of things to get along with all men. Then too you'll tidy your expression so that you're not calling on all men but the Lord. That is so as said once before you can but have reward of him then in full. That is to say when you're a man, calling on men, as unto all men your reward will be roughly the same in shape, size, and function as it would upon receiving the extreme unction that of the Father above and so being borne out in his love. Certainly it would seem this way for all the treasures laid up down here below for which we have fasted and prayed and at this point a treasure is just saying what would matter. Though to the Lord it seems he's valued much more than this quite possibly the moth and rust that does eat these things up and also the thieves which do spring forth in the earth. You know, when it comes on do to it really our God knows of which you have need before you'd yet ask and so being the good Father that he is provides for such intimately time and again. It seems in his sending rain to the earth that he nourishes even these and the just. Though how much more would you not matter who have done naught but to seek unto him.

No Relighting Instead

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:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

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!

How often does man seem before the Lord as but a candle there in his sight. Perhaps it's a far cry from the but dust of which we're so accustomed to thinking as though some of us had done some sort of wrong now and again. Sure, he knows our frame does he not and it's not of sugar and spice and everything nice or perhaps not of frogs and snails and puppy dog tails nor yet of all things that are beautiful, wise, and wonderful there in his presence. It's done is it not so that no flesh might glory before him seeing as whom has made these his people. Nor is there ill-reflection to be found towards him instead as him that has made these thus suchly is visible or has implied with them some fault in creation in general. It's at times such as these that we're a lot better off just seeking towards God and our Maker instead. So that if we're laid up ourselves there in Heaven as what would instead rather just matter to him, rest assured that all these other things which crept in before aren't getting to us there with the Lord. The treasure and whom you're before implies the increase in your relative thinking or at least it really ought so to truly were it not for your knowing the Lord as a person. He's holy is he not and righteous and just and all things contained in his person. Thusly, if you're as with Abraham the exceeding great reward of the Lord then you endure seeing him who lives in your midst. Then too should the Heavens be opened as in Revelation allowing for viewing of the providing and generations of God there in the midst. It's a calling isn't it, Aaron's rod that budded as unto him as from out of dry places and wastelands and your own personal sin, and from barrenness there once again. If such a thing is done at all isn't it it's so that the generations of God might be declared unto men for it's he that we're called after a peculiar people in his sight and not just after ourselves as though there's some boasting to be found there instead. Indeed it's quite humbling to be considered a generation there before him laid up and treasured worth all the praise we could give him or ever to bring. It's a shouting text isn't just without all the fanfare and noise. Though if you were seeking God as you ought, it should be no surprise that he's shown up in your midst. So then he relights the lamps does he not as merely the candle of God. It exists to serve him doesn't it and not just as unto men. So then his presence drives out all the bad things that follow, that dwell there instead, or that are simply to be found in yourselves. Thusly, the light of God drives out everything else but a knowledge of himself and you can ask how I'm so sure for our God is a consuming fire is he not no matter what we've been through, been where, or when.

No Remastered

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.

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?

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?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

It seems at such a time as this truly that there's a tale of two masters to be found in the text. See, man can only serve one or the other and in this case I'm afraid when it's between whose reward is it whether of God or of men, the only choice is him once again. The praises of men also leads to their service you see and right after that it becomes a thing of whose master you serve there once again. Two masters in this case is referring to whether of God or of men that we did all this for to begin with just as he said. Though it's impossible isn't it to despise the Lord and his children when it's these same ones that he died for on Calvary's tree. Let it be said at such a time as this that our God is very much not in the favorites business. Having thought then about it leads to what are you worth in the end whether as something for usage or just that of service and also the Lord. For as Paul had said to live is Christ and to die is gain. Seeing this perspective how much more worth it are we than that of his Son whom he sent to consider, to reckon with us, and to bring us all back home to him there in the end. He sees all, hears all, and knows all does he not wherever we are or wherever we've been. Indeed, the fowls which are much as the angels engaged in either pleasing themselves or doing his will sow and reap just as expected but a care from the Father instead. That's not to say that we too as the angels ought to have the same mission perspective but only that of a seeking the Lord first and all of his glory. For thinking of ourselves truly and our situation whatever it be will change not a thing not even for me. Though coming to God with but a prayer as seeking in whole heart but that of our Master and Friend will see us standing before him much rather and not unto men. So that it shall be if our Father so chooses to relight the candles there once again whether that of the spirits or our bodies and lives, we're doing naught but so living then just for him. That whatever we see will be spent not on ourselves but in mission and service and in doing his pleasure that is to say whatever he wills, all his good purpose. As you well know that's one thing he cannot do is let his Word return void. So then that to save us it seems he's got to bring a mighty big sword. Seeing and knowing this in purpose let's much rather seek unto him who lives before the Father as our interceder, our pleader, our provider much rather, and our High Priest of all men.

No Raiment

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

At such a time as this truly, the Father now enters as unto the scene. Perhaps it's for the very first time or not once again. For you see once you've known him as John would've put it, you'll find he's been there all along. At no time has our Father just abandoned us and left us alone. See, he's not in the business of doing ill will towards his children. Consider too if you will just that you're perhaps somehow are now just lacking for clothes. Then again you might wonder at what form does mortality put on immortality there to be sure. So often some have read this section and interpreted it to read something like this. An over-anxious person who has nothing to wear and quite possibly nothing to buy it with either is just now having a run-in with their faith and the Lord. Which is all fine and well really but when you consider the rest of the text and the relighting that has come from the Lord, you'll consider that when he shall appears we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is. Though it does not yet appear what we shall be though for our Father has not made all the details plain to us yet that you would see. When it comes to the Father in Heaven though he can be trusted for some better plan for the clothing and feeding and things of this world. Indeed, the lilies do grow do they not just as they come from the Lord. Certainly, you've not seen a number of lilies without on the street just dying or begging for something to eat. You might not feel fed and sheltered now at this moment. Yet so our God does unto them as for the least of these his children and a whole lot more in the midst. The toiling too is seen as something that would work for the food and then too if there's spinning it's all just of him. Growing too is done all by itself as our God has so planted them and there do they bloom. Though when Solomon for example is given there's nothing left to do but to hope unto him.

No Renewing

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?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

Then comes the clothing part of what these should. See, it's not simply enough to put on the righteousness of God in the midst. There's also the whole armor as well and that implies a doing of all things considered as unto the Lord. Certainly he's the God who provides does he not both whenever it's needed and when. Tomorrow certainly's not a given except for judgement that's coming and a gathering of all things as into his barns. After this fashion then ought we just to keep it in mind that tomorrow rather ought to take care of the things of itself. For sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. So then it appears that worrying is not depending on God for anything at all much less the things that are so desperately needed as also the clothes. There's food needed and that in abundance for the things of right now and then too for the sustaining of life lest tomorrow not be seen but as unto him. Thus with that in mind, let's go back to Solomon whom we'd seen from the first which received riches through trading, wisdom, and provision though not for himself very much rather but that of the Lord's own people instead. Thus was he strengthened to do every good work whether planted above or just merely fashioned still in his love. With that being said, there's another thing to consider and that is of being planted there as above. So often are we ever so fond of saying the phrase that to 'bloom where you're planted' should come on just after. See, just when you think it's over with and our Father has closed the book and moved on then instead, there comes the taking no thought as with all good things intended and so being borne from his love. The no thought though if you're honest is not as unto men once again. He's not a man that he should lie certainly and as God himself his heart, his doings, and his actions towards us are good in our midst. It's just our beholding as through a glass darkly which trips us back up just as it would were we only seeing the situation and everything with it instead.

No Return

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

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.

Then you're very much tempted at times such as these to do a bit of comparison analysis observing still that the Gentiles also do seek after God. Though perhaps not in the same fashion instead as they're driven to hunt for everything needful and then just a seek unto him. God though as with all things cares for the life of the body and soul. He's able to put the super on the natural just as with Solomon and right all the wrongs. Only his blessing can turn the situation around and make it into much from the first. It's only our reliance on him and our seeking him then that allows it to happen. Certainly, after a closer look at Malachi, you'll see how that these people had quite forgotten their service perspective. It was understandable really considering that it was of no profit to them serving God from the start. The people would bring in their tithes surely though that's not quite all the whole of the matter for when there's great calamity and judgement at hand, God's dealings with his people really are something quite special, indeed. The Heavenly Father though when it comes on down to it really has walked this old world below and so he too knows all too well whichever way that it goes. Seeking the kingdom then is nothing new nor is it surprising considering how well it is hid from the eyes of this world. It's done then that seeking our God and the righteousness that comes from above thus might appear as visible to us all down here. Though it's not as it were trying to pull our God's throne from down up above but rather a being fashioned after all things as unto his love.