1 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.
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.
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.
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:
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!
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?
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.
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?
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.
The sixth chapter of the Book of Matthew in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible continues Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. This chapter is rich with teachings and offers guidance on how to live a righteous life. It covers three main themes: practicing righteousness, the Lord's Prayer, and the importance of prioritizing spiritual wealth over earthly wealth. These themes are central to Jesus' teachings and provide a foundation for Christian living.
The chapter begins with Jesus warning his disciples about practicing their righteousness before others to be seen by them. He criticizes the hypocrites who perform acts of charity, pray, and fast to be seen by others. These acts, according to Jesus, should be done in secret, with the Father who sees in secret rewarding them. This theme is a critique of performative piety and underlines the importance of sincere and private devotion. It underscores the idea that the quality of one's faith is not determined by public recognition but by personal commitment and sincerity.
The chapter then moves on to the Lord's Prayer, arguably the most famous prayer in Christianity and a model for all Christian prayers. Jesus presents this prayer as a guide for his disciples, demonstrating how they should pray. The prayer begins by acknowledging God's holiness and supremacy, followed by requests for daily sustenance, forgiveness, and protection from evil. The Lord's Prayer emphasizes the importance of humility, dependence on God, and the need for forgiveness and mercy. It sets the tone for a relationship with God that is based on reverence, trust, and the desire for God's will to be done.
The final theme of the chapter is the importance of prioritizing spiritual wealth over earthly wealth. Jesus warns his disciples about the impermanence and insecurity of earthly riches. He advises them to store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal. The emphasis here is on the eternal value of spiritual wealth and the futility of pursuing earthly wealth. The discourse also suggests that one's heart or focus will be where their treasure is. This teaching is a call to Christians to prioritize their relationship with God and their spiritual growth over material possessions and worldly success.
Chapter 6 of the Book of Matthew is a rich discourse that provides a comprehensive guide for Christian living. It emphasizes the importance of sincerity in practicing righteousness, the model for prayer, and the need to prioritize spiritual wealth over earthly wealth. These teachings are not merely rules to be followed but are principles that shape the Christian worldview and inform their way of life.
The teachings in Matthew Chapter 6 provide a blueprint for how Christians should live their lives. Jesus' emphasis on practicing righteousness not for the sake of public recognition but out of genuine devotion to God is a powerful reminder of the importance of sincerity in faith. This teaching challenges Christians to examine their motivations and to ensure that their acts of piety are driven by their love for God and not by a desire for human praise.
The Lord's Prayer, as presented in this chapter, serves as a model for all Christian prayers. It outlines the elements that should be present in every prayer: acknowledgment of God's holiness, submission to His will, request for daily sustenance, plea for forgiveness, and request for protection from evil. This prayer serves as a guide for Christians, reminding them of their dependence on God, their need for His mercy, and their role in forgiving others.
The theme of prioritizing spiritual wealth over earthly wealth is a call to Christians to focus on their spiritual growth and relationship with God. It is a reminder that earthly riches are temporary and uncertain, while spiritual wealth is eternal and secure. This teaching challenges the worldly definition of success and invites Christians to find their worth and satisfaction in their relationship with God and in the pursuit of righteousness.
In conclusion, Chapter 6 of the Book of Matthew provides critical guidelines for Christian living. It calls for sincerity in practicing righteousness, provides a model for prayer, and emphasizes the importance of prioritizing spiritual wealth over earthly wealth. These teachings are foundational to the Christian faith and continue to guide Christians in their journey of faith.
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