ESOCS Devotional 7 January 2022
TEXT: MATTHEW 6:1-13
MEMORY VERSE:
“But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret, and thy father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:3, 4
There are two great Christian duties of which the Lord in this devotion teaches us the right and profitable attitude in practicing them. They are almsgiving (1-4) and prayer (5-13). Further down the chapter, we will meet with the third duty, fasting (16-18).
It should be noted that the Lord did not bother to begin to teach or remind His disciples to give alms, to pray or to fast, in this passage. These are three essential duties of the Christian Faith – duties inherent and inseparable from the Faith. The Lord rather teaches us how to make the most gains of these duties and how not to fall into the practice of turning these spiritual duties and acts of righteousness into a non-rewarding and wasteful exercise that will only feed our ego and worldly fame. Such were the practices of the hypocrites: notice me, hail me, applaud me, publicize me and honour me for my almsgiving, prayers, and fasting. They will not give except they invite the press or at least a camera to capture and publicize their gifts. They will not give except they have a political advantage to gain from the beneficiaries of their alms; and once they have got either, it is the end of their reward; it is their full reward, no more, no future reward from God. They will only pray when men can see them praying and applaud them. They neither fast nor pray privately. Having got the desired applause, they have received their full reward. God shall reward them no more.
True Christians are expected to take these duties seriously with the right attitudes, knowing that:-
- Almsgiving is ordered by God and to do so is an act of obedience (Prov. 3:27; Deut. 15:7, 11).
- Almsgiving is an act of righteousness and thereto we are called (Ps. 112:9).
- Almsgiving, properly practiced is rewarded by God with both eternal and material blessings, and with prayer it stands for a memorial in your favour before God (Acts 10:4; Gal. 6:9-10).
- The Lord recommends secret prayers, as highly rewarding. So is your quiet time when you are locked in alone with God. Your meditation is deeper, your fellowship with God warmer, and your supplication breaks every barrier, and gives you open doors. Consider Hannah’s silent prayers and her reward with a son.
The same principle applies to fasting. Hold fast the right attitude to these three great Christian duties and your reward is sure.
- Consider how the LORD condemns the fasting of the Jews in Isaiah 58:4-5, and see the acceptable fast in Isaiah 58: 6-7.
- Pray God to teach and help you to pray, fast, and give alms aright. Pray that as you do so He will bless you according to His promises in Isaiah 58:8-12.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Leviticus 26:1-13; Songs of Solomon 3: 1-11; Ephesians 5:1-11
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ESOCS Devotional 7 January 2022
