Matthew 6:5 - Forerunner Commentary

Matthew 6:5

3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret ^awill Himself reward you openly.

The Model Prayer

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the¹ hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

6 But you, when you pray, ^ago into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you¹ openly.

7 And when you pray, ^ado not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. ^bFor they think that they will be heard for their many words.

8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father ^aknows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

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Matthew 6:3-6

The term hypocrite is used here to refer to a person who does good acts for appearances only, not out of compassion or other good motives. So his actions may be good, but his motives are hollow and these empty acts are his only reward.

Now when Jesus says not to tell your left hand what your right hand is doing, He teaches that our motives for giving to God and others must be pure. It is easy to give with mixed motives, to do something for someone with the expectation of benefiting ourselves in return. However, we should avoid all scheming and provide for the reason of giving, that is, responding to God's love.

It is easy to do what is right for recognition and praise to ensure our motives are not selfish. We should perform our good deeds quietly or in secret with no thought at all about reward. Jesus says we should check our motives in three areas: generosity, which is found in verse 4; prayer in verse 6; and fasting in verse 18.

Excerpted from When Actions Contradict Stated Beliefs

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The Model Prayer

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