“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. 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. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. “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. 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. “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. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. “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. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 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.
Matthew 6:1-18 NLT
Motives matter. Why do you pray? Why do you pray for others? If we are honest, there is often a self-centered goal at the root of our acts of devotion. We want to look good. We want to be better or look better than others, comparing ourselves rather than serving our Savior. It is not that our relationships with others don’t matter (see v.14); it is that serving is not about self-righteousness but honoring God. Our acts of goodness don’t increase our value; our value comes from God alone. Jesus cuts through our muddled motives and calls us to the only One: God Himself. There is no higher good; there is no higher motive.
We are invited into a direct relationship with God; He is our FATHER. It all starts with accepting the Father's perfect love, the love that only He can give. Filled with His love, we overflow. So being filled with His love is priority one. Jesus said WHEN (not if) we pray, fast, forgive, and give to those in need, so we must be doing these things. They are not optional; they are also not possible without the love of the Father flowing through us.
Honestly, what are some of the false motives that are part of your serving? Will you find your full worth in Christ alone, and ask God to change your motives? Which parts of the Lord’s Prayer do you need to add to your daily prayers?
