“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” (Matthew 6:1).
This is indeed one of the heart-searching passages from God’s Word. We have read it over many times, no doubt; yet, have we ever stopped really to consider its true meaning? Surely the words practically mean this, “Take care that you do not live your life before men instead of before God, for if you do, God cannot bear witness to it and give you His reward.”
It is a severe temptation to live our “righteousness” before men, to be seen by others, to have them think well of us because they notice us doing good deeds or hear us speak kind words. These words truly pierce to the joints and marrow (Hebrews 4: 12).
It is possible to do much of our Christian work to ” … be seen of men … ” (Matthew 6:5) – not intentionally perhaps, but almost unconsciously we ask or think, “How does it look?” or “What will they say?” concerning much that is said and done.
The heavenly life is a life ” … hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3 :3). In Matthew 6:1-18, the Lord Jesus endeavours to tell us about such a life and some things necessary in its living. The Lord in these verses speaks of hidden service (verses 2-4), hidden prayers (verses 5-15), and hidden suffering (verses 16-18).
HIDDEN SERVICE
There is the hidden life of service. Service is a much used word today in the church and Christian sphere. We are urged to serve, and so we ought. Christ does not condemn service, indeed He encourages it; but warns that our Christian service, all our giving of money, time, and strength, should be hidden between God and ourselves (verses 3-4). Even among our members, the left hand and the right hand (verse 3), it is to be a secret service. We are not even to sit down to think or dwell upon it – what we do we are to forget and leave it before God. This is the “closet” life- a life lived close to God.
Such life, lived in secret, will be owned by God openly. It will be seen of men then, but in such a manner that they will glorify God the Father. They will be able to see how God serves us, not how we serve God!
Jesus said one time that what we give up we gain, and what we try to save we lose. This passage of Scripture helps us to understand what He had in mind. If we do a good deed and think of the praise of men, we lose our reward of God. If we think of the praise of God, we gain His approval and His open reward, which men do see after all.
HIDDEN PRAYER
In verses 6-7, the Lord speaks of praying in secret, or hidden prayer. In verse 5, He mentions a class of people who prayed deliberately and intentionally to ” … be seen of men … ” because they loved men’s praise.
“Please excuse me from leading in audible prayer,” some folks will beg, “I just can’t pray so well as Brother So and So.” Another has been heard to say, “Well, if I cannot speak, at least I can pray!” Common expressions, sounding almost humble, yet with perhaps the dangerous “seen of men” poison behind them, a subtle motive being the guiding principle rather than true humility.
“My prayers aren’t answered, so why go on praying?” asks a Christian professor, despondently. “I’ve almost ceased to believe that God hears prayer; so many of mine have gone unanswered lately.” Many have this experience. May it not be possible that, in some cases, the reason is made clear by the Lord’s explanation of prayer rewards? He says plainly, ” … no reward of your Father … ” (verse 1).
Someone has said, “We think of men so much because we know so little of God.” One of the greatest problems of public prayer is here: to keep the thought upon God and off of men. It is much easier to pray in the secret place where men cannot see or hear, but it is also possible to pray in public, ” … before men … ” (verse 1). The characteristics of prayer in this hidden prayer life could be set forth in this way:
1.1t is prayer with no thought of what others think (verse 5).
2. It is prayer shut in with God, whether in private or public worship (verse 6).
3. It is prayer not so much of language as of heart (verse 7).
4. It is prayer which is sure of response and reward (verse 6).
5. It is prayer definite and to the point, “After this manner therefore pray ye … ” (verses 9-13).
6. It is prayer to a Father who will respond to every real need (verse 8).
7. It is prayer in the spirit of forgiving love (verses 14-15).
HIDDEN SUFFERING
This is mentioned by the Lord in verses 16-18. Here, again, we find the warning about being “seen of men” when we suffer. This is perhaps the severest test or temptation of all. Fasting is particularly mentioned by the Lord Jesus. The Christians were not to fast and then go about with a sad countenance so that everyone who met them could tell they were fasting! There is a kind of pleasant martyrdom which Satan often uses, very cleverly, to spoil the Christian’s reward – it is rather “sweet” to do without, if we have the sympathy or praise or commendation of others! But it will bring no other reward, for such “martyrs” have had their reward.
These are very difficult things to make real in our lives, but most of Jesus’ teachings are difficult. He Himself lived fully this hidden prayer life, the hidden life itself. He spoke seldom of His own sorrows, always helped others overcome their difficulties and gave them sunshine. He told His Father the rest, lived in with Him, and was indeed rewarded openly to God’s glory.