# Overview Matthew Chapter 6 forms a vital part of the #Sermon on the Mount, where [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] teaches about the righteousness expected of His followers, contrasting it with the practices of the #Pharisees and the #Gentiles. Jesus begins by addressing the importance of performing acts of righteousness, such as giving to the needy, prayer, and fasting, in a manner that seeks to honor #God rather than to gain the approval of others. He warns against hypocrisy, urging His followers to practice their faith in secret, where God, who sees what is done in secret, will reward them openly. The chapter introduces the #Lord'sPrayer, a model for prayer that emphasizes the holiness of God's name, the coming of His kingdom, and the provision of daily needs, forgiveness, and deliverance from evil. The latter part of the chapter focuses on the issue of #wealth and #worry. Jesus teaches that His followers should not store up treasures on earth, where they can be destroyed or stolen, but should instead store up treasures in heaven. He emphasizes that one cannot serve both God and money, urging trust in God's provision for daily needs. Jesus uses nature to illustrate God's care, pointing to the birds of the air and the lilies of the field as examples of God's providence. He concludes by encouraging His followers to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, assuring them that all necessary things will be provided. This chapter challenges believers to examine their motives, trust in God's provision, and prioritize their spiritual well-being over material concerns. ## Theological Insights Matthew 6 is a continuation of the #SermonOnTheMount, offering profound teachings on the nature of true righteousness and one's relationship with #God. This chapter emphasizes the importance of sincerity in religious practices, highlighting the heart's posture over mere external actions. ### Righteousness and Hypocrisy Jesus warns against performing acts of righteousness, such as #giving, #prayer, and #fasting, for public recognition (Matthew 6:1-18). Instead, He calls for a sincere devotion to #God, where these acts are done in secret, emphasizing that the Father, who sees in secret, will reward openly. This teaching challenges believers to examine their motives, ensuring that their spiritual practices are expressions of genuine faith and devotion to God, not performances to gain human approval. ### The Lord's Prayer In teaching the #Lord'sPrayer (Matthew 6:9-13), Jesus provides a model for prayer that centers on God's holiness, kingdom, and will. This prayer reflects a heart posture of dependence on God for daily needs, forgiveness, and deliverance from evil. It emphasizes the communal nature of prayer with its use of "our" and "us," reminding believers of their unity as the body of Christ. It also reinforces the importance of forgiveness, as those who seek forgiveness from God must also forgive others (Matthew 6:14-15). ### Treasures in Heaven Jesus instructs His followers to store up treasures in #heaven rather than on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). This teaching contrasts the temporary nature of earthly wealth with the eternal value of heavenly treasures. Jesus emphasizes that where one's treasure is, there the heart will be also, challenging believers to prioritize their spiritual life and relationship with God over material possessions. ### The Eye as the Lamp of the Body The metaphor of the eye as the lamp of the body (Matthew 6:22-23) illustrates the importance of spiritual perception. A healthy eye, focused on God and His kingdom, brings light to the whole body, while a bad eye, distracted by worldly desires, brings darkness. This underscores the necessity of maintaining a clear and undivided focus on serving God. ### Trust in God's Provision Jesus' teaching on anxiety (Matthew 6:25-34) calls believers to trust in God's provision, using examples from nature to illustrate God's care for His creation. He instructs His followers to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, assuring them that all necessary things will be provided. This teaching encourages a life of faith and dependence on God, free from the worries of material needs. Overall, Matthew 6 challenges believers to cultivate a heart of genuine devotion, prioritize eternal values, and trust in God's faithful provision. It underscores the call to live a life that reflects the values of God's kingdom, characterized by sincerity, trust, and a focus on eternal treasures. ## Thematic Connections ### The Kingdom of God In Matthew 6, Jesus continues His Sermon on the Mount by emphasizing the priority of seeking the #KingdomofGod above all else. This theme is explicitly stated in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 6#Verse 33|Matthew 6:33]], “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” This idea is echoed throughout the #Gospels, where the Kingdom of God is presented as a central message of Jesus' ministry, such as in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 4|Matthew 4:17]] and [[Luke/Luke Chapter 17|Luke 17:20-21]]. ### Heavenly Rewards versus Earthly Treasures Jesus contrasts the pursuit of earthly treasures with the pursuit of heavenly rewards in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 6#Verse 19-21|Matthew 6:19-21]]. This theme is mirrored in other teachings of Jesus, such as the parable of the rich fool in [[Luke/Luke Chapter 12|Luke 12:16-21]], emphasizing the temporary nature of earthly wealth and the eternal significance of spiritual riches. The call to prioritize heavenly treasures resonates with [[1 Timothy/1 Timothy Chapter 6|1 Timothy 6:17-19]], which advises believers to be rich in good deeds. ### Prayer and Dependence on God Matthew 6 features the Lord’s Prayer, a model of prayer that underscores dependence on God for daily provision, forgiveness, and deliverance from evil. This theme of prayerful reliance on God is a recurring motif in Scripture, as seen in [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 4|Philippians 4:6-7]] and [[James/James Chapter 5|James 5:16]], which highlight the power and necessity of prayer in the life of believers. ### Hypocrisy versus Genuine Faith Jesus warns against practicing righteousness for human approval, as seen in His teachings on giving, prayer, and fasting in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 6#Verse 1-18|Matthew 6:1-18]]. This theme is a consistent thread throughout the Gospels, where Jesus often challenges religious leaders for their hypocrisy, as in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 23|Matthew 23:23-28]]. Genuine faith, according to Jesus, is marked by sincerity and devotion to God rather than outward appearances. ### Trust in God's Provision A significant portion of Matthew 6 is dedicated to encouraging trust in God’s provision, as seen in Jesus’ reassurances that God will provide for the needs of His people, just as He does for the birds and flowers in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 6#Verse 25-34|Matthew 6:25-34]]. This theme of divine provision echoes throughout the Bible, including passages like [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 23|Psalm 23:1]], which affirms the Lord as a shepherd who provides for all needs, and [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 4|Philippians 4:19]], which promises that God will meet all needs according to His glorious riches. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Call to Righteousness In Matthew 6, Jesus' teachings reflect the prophetic call to true righteousness that aligns with God's will. This echoes the prophetic themes found in the Old Testament, such as those in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 58]], where God calls for genuine acts of righteousness over ritualistic practices. Jesus emphasizes sincerity in giving, prayer, and fasting, underscoring a heart aligned with God's desires rather than seeking human approval. ### Trust in God's Provision Jesus' instruction on not worrying about material needs (Matthew 6:25-34) fulfills the prophetic assurances of God's provision for His people. This teaching resonates with the promises found in the Psalms, such as [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 37|Psalm 37:25]], where the psalmist declares that the righteous will not be forsaken nor their children begging for bread. By trusting in God's provision, believers fulfill the prophetic vision of a people who rely on God's faithfulness. ### The Kingdom of God Jesus' focus on seeking first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) fulfills the prophetic anticipation of God's reign established among His people. This call aligns with the prophecies of a coming kingdom found in the Old Testament, such as [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 2|Daniel 2:44]], where God sets up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. Jesus invites His followers to prioritize this kingdom, fulfilling the expectation of God's ultimate sovereignty as foretold by the prophets. ### The Light of Righteousness In Matthew 6:22-23, Jesus speaks of the eye as the lamp of the body, emphasizing the importance of a righteous perspective. This teaching fulfills the prophetic imagery of light and righteousness, as seen in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 60|Isaiah 60:1-3]], where the light of God's presence draws nations. By embodying light through righteous living, believers fulfill the prophetic vision of being a beacon of God's truth and righteousness in the world. ## Verses - **Matthew 6:1** - "Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven." - Note: See [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 5]] for Jesus’ teachings on righteousness. - **Matthew 6:2** - "When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get." - Note: Compare with [[Luke/Luke Chapter 18]] for the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. - **Matthew 6:3** - "But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." - Note: See [[2 Corinthians/2 Corinthians Chapter 9]] for the teaching on cheerful giving. - **Matthew 6:4** - "Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you." - Note: See also [[Proverbs/Proverbs Chapter 19]] about giving to the poor. - **Matthew 6:5** - "When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get." - Note: Compare with [[Luke/Luke Chapter 11]] for the Lord’s Prayer. - **Matthew 6:6** - "But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you." - Note: This highlights the personal relationship with God, similar to [[James/James Chapter 4]]. - **Matthew 6:7** - "When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again." - Note: See [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 18]] for the prophets of Baal. - **Matthew 6:8** - "Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!" - Note: See [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 4]] for God’s provision. - **Matthew 6:9** - "Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy." - Note: Reference the importance of God’s name in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 20]]. - **Matthew 6:10** - "May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." - Note: Compare with [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 21]] on the Kingdom of God. - **Matthew 6:11** - "Give us today the food we need," - Note: See [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 16]] for the provision of manna. - **Matthew 6:12** - "and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us." - Note: Forgiveness is further explained in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 18]]. - **Matthew 6:13** - "And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one." - Note: See [[James/James Chapter 1]] for teachings on temptation. - **Matthew 6:14** - "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you." - Note: See [[Colossians/Colossians Chapter 3]] on forgiveness. - **Matthew 6:15** - "But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins." - Note: Compare with [[Mark/Mark Chapter 11]] on forgiveness. - **Matthew 6:16** - "And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get." - Note: Fasting is also discussed in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 58]]. - **Matthew 6:17** - "But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face." - Note: See [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 10]] for examples of fasting. - **Matthew 6:18** - "Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you." - Note: Compare with [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 91]] on God’s knowledge of our actions. - **Matthew 6:19** - "Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal." - Note: See [[James/James Chapter 5]] on warnings to the rich. - **Matthew 6:20** - "Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal." - Note: See [[Luke/Luke Chapter 12]] on the rich fool. - **Matthew 6:21** - "Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." - Note: Compare with [[Proverbs/Proverbs Chapter 4]] on guarding the heart. - **Matthew 6:22** - "Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light." - Note: See [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 119]] on the Word as a light. - **Matthew 6:23** - "But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!" - Note: See [[Luke/Luke Chapter 11]] for similar teachings. - **Matthew 6:24** - "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money." - Note: Compare with [[1 Timothy/1 Timothy Chapter 6]] on the love of money. - **Matthew 6:25** - "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?" - Note: See [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 4]] on God’s provision. - **Matthew 6:26** - "Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?" - Note: Compare with [[Psalm/Psalm Chapter 104]] on God’s provision for all creatures. - **Matthew 6:27** - "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?" - Note: See [[Luke/Luke Chapter 12]] for a parallel message. - **Matthew 6:28** - "And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing," - Note: Consider [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 40]] on God’s creation. - **Matthew 6:29** - "yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are." - Note: See [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 10]] for the wealth and splendor of #Solomon. - **Matthew 6:30** - "And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?" - Note: See [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 11]] on faith. - **Matthew 6:31** - "So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’" - Note: Compare with [[Luke/Luke Chapter 12]] on anxiety. - **Matthew 6:32** - "These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs." - Note: See [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 4]] on God knowing our needs. - **Matthew 6:33** - "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." - Note: Compare with [[Romans/Romans Chapter 14]] on God’s kingdom. - **Matthew 6:34** - "So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today." - Note: See [[Proverbs/Proverbs Chapter 3]] for trusting in God’s plan.