Your Father Who Sees in Secret

This week we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 6:1-18. Jesus teaches his disciples, "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 6:1). Jesus gives us a warning against the wrong kind of righteousness. This wrong kind of righteousness looks like doing good works in order to be recognized publicly. In contrast to performing acts of righteousness in front of others to be seen by them, Jesus welcomes and invites us to practice giving, praying, and fasting in secret. Jesus teaches us why our giving, praying, and fasting should be done in secret. He concludes, "Your Father who sees in secret will reward you." We pray that you will heed Jesus' warning, respond to his welcome, and rejoice in the why. We can be loved and accepted by God the Father through the person and work of the Son in the fellowship of the Spirit.