CH 4 The Kingdom of Heaven: Its Constitution Part II
The Bema Seat of Christ: Rewards for the things of gold, silver & precious stones in our lives.
In the last chapter, the constitution of the Kingdom dealt with inward attitudes, matters of the heart. In this next section, while the heart still drives a man, Jesus will address outward activities.
The Lesser & Greater Reward
Take heed that you do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: Otherwise you have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore, when you doest your 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. Truly I say unto you, they have their reward. But when you doest alms, let not thy left hand know what your right hand doeth: That your alms may be in secret: And your Father which sees in secret himself shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:1-4
Jesus will talk about three spiritual disciplines in these next articles of the constitution. Giving, praying and fasting. The key statement he makes in all three examples is “to be seen of men.” If my motivator in my Christian walk is to be appreciated of men, then that’s my reward. The momentary pleasure from the acknowledgement and praise of others is all the reward I will receive. A better way is to stay in the background when giving. Keep your gifts between you, God, and any person you are blessing. Don’t show off your generosity to third parties. Jesus equates that type of giving as hypocritical.
Now a word about hypocrisy. Jesus has much to say on the subject. So much so, I will devote a chapter later, just to his teachings and parables concerning this mask-like behavior. But one important concept for our present discussion needs to be brought forth. The World defines a hypocrite as a moral person who has noticeable flaws. Jesus’ definition is importantly different. In his usage (obviously, the correct one) a hypocrite is a religious person who keeps others away from the truth, i.e. away from him. To the secular person, all Christians are hypocrites, as we all have flaws. But the correct view of a hypocrite is religiosity that keeps a seeker from the truth. In Jesus’ day the religious leaders were placing a trip on others by intimating by their trumpeting that giving alms was a path to God. Clearly, this was not what Jesus taught. Therefore, he called them hypocrites, not because they were sinners like everyone else, but because they were veiling the truth concerning the way of salvation.
Back to giving. The primary reward of generosity is that I become an imitator of God. He is a giver, he gave everything in fact, when he died for you and me. So, as I give, I become more like him. But there are rewards associated with liberality, but those rewards only come into play when I have a giving heart. Not expecting to receive in return.
And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men: Knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance: For you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24
Everything belongs to God, (1 Corinthians 10:26). He doesn’t owe anybody anything. That is the proper perspective to maintain. Everything I possess is on loan from him. As I give, I am just passing around blessings that I have been stewarding. This is the attitude I want; this is the “sweet spot” that will lead a person to be openly acknowledged by the Father!
Next the Teacher will address prayer;
And when thou pray, you shall 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. Truly I say unto you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly. But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: For they think they will be heard for their much speaking. Be not you therefore like unto them: For your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask him. Matthew 6:5-8
Personal prayer is a private matter between a soul and the Father. It is intimate frank dialogue with the Almighty. He is not honored by vague prayers. They should be specific, so when answered, he receives the glory. Effective prayer includes questioning, praising, confessing, thanking & petitioning. Jesus points out it should be done in private, away from distractions & interruptions. At other times, it will still be personal and private, but it could be in the midst of a large gathering or in the middle of a difficult project. This type of prayer is the moment by moment muttering that Paul spoke of when he taught “to pray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Corporate prayer is done in a group setting with a common goal to the prayers which are ascended up to God. Unlike the hypocritical prayers Jesus was speaking against, where the charlatan was only praying to be seen and to supposedly impress others, all of the members of the community group prayer are involved & engaged.
In Jesus’ day and on into our day today in Eastern religions, many will pray repetitive, mantra type prayers. Our Lord dismissed this type of praying saying the Father knows the need before he is asked. Extending this thought, since the Father already knows the need, why is petitionary prayer even necessary? The answer to that question is that prayer isn’t so much to urge God to move but to get the person praying to line up with what God is already doing! Often when I pray, I may come to my Maker with anxiety and consternation, bewilderment and questions only to leave with peace & joy as meeting with him has reset my puny little brain to be in harmony with his purposes.
Obviously, when the hypocrite is praying just to be showy, his prayers will not be heard. But, are there times when our genuine requests will not be heard? The Bible says that there is and it is related to unconfessed sin, among others.
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that he cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2
As far as I can tell there are six ways I can short-circuit my prayers. Unconfessed sin (1 John 1:9), failure to ask (James 4:1-3), asking out of lust (James 4:1-3), a man’s failure to honor his wife (1 Peter 3:7), failure to forgive (Matthew 6:14-15) & failure to read the Word (Proverbs 28:9).
So, when my prayer life is not seeing results, if none of these inhibitors are in play, I want to keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking, (Matthew 7:7). Patience is important though. Often, the Lord will not immediately answer my prayer. His timing is always best though. Also, factors such as a spiritual stronghold may be in play. Daniel chapter 10 reveals to us that unseen spiritual battles occur at times when we pray, effecting the timing of the heavenly response.
It is important to remember that we don’t always know what is best for us and others, even when we think we do. As Garth Brooks sings, “I thank God for unanswered prayers.” A better way to pray in light of this is the reporting for duty prayer (What would you have me to do Lord?) instead of the so-called “name it and claim it” type of prayer. I want to tell the Father my concerns and requests but always end my prayer with “your will be done.” John tells us that when I pray according to his will, he will hear me and I can bank on that prayer being answered, (1 John 5:14-15).
Lastly, before we leave this tenant, the Rabbi promised that humble personal prayer will be heard and rewarded by the Father. But our Lord’s half-brother adds that it must be in faith;
But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting. For he that doubts is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1: 6-8
To doubt is to waver between two opinions. I’m talking to the God of the Universe. No need for doubt in my prayers. Thus, I can pray in faith knowing that he hears my petitions. They are to be simple, secret prayers, and I can be confident that if it is something good for me, that he will not withhold it, (Psalm 84:11-12).
Next we come to the greatest of all prayers, for it is the one our Friend taught us to pray. It is a beautiful sixty-five-word sacrament which speaks of the Father’s person, purpose, provision, pardon, protection & preeminence.
The Lord’s Prayer
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Matthew 6:9
The person of the Father is described succinctly. He is our Father. He upholds the entire community of believers as only a committed Parent can. And the word Father is better translated, “Daddy” or “Papa.”
His name is to be hallowed. Awesome was a word in the past, reserved only for him. He is terrible, he is untamed, he is a consuming fire! He is our shield & our exceeding great reward, (Genesis 15:1). He is the “I AM.” He is everything we need.
When I consider that his name is to be hallowed, my mind moves to the words of the psalmist, “Be still . . . and know that I am God,” (Psalm 46:10).
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10
Here, the purpose of the Father is described. “Not my will, but your will be done” is what Jesus prayed on that fateful night in the Garden of Gethsemane. You see, today in our world, God’s will is often overridden by the will of man. God has allowed us the free will to choose our own path, which often is opposed to what he would prefer. When we pray, bring the Kingdom, we are asking for the rule of Jesus to return. When we petition, “thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven” we are asking heaven to come down to earth. This statement can be both corporate, for the whole world, but also individual, bring heaven to my heart today Lord!
Give us this day our daily bread. Matthew 6:11
God’s provision is seven words. “Give us.” As I pray for my needs I can also pray for others, as we all have similar needs. “Daily bread.” Jesus points out to pray this prayer every day as God is our daily bread as well as providing it. Of course, the Lord’s table of communion is imbedded in this statement.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Matthew 6:12
The Father’s pardon, through the Son, is the uniqueness of Christianity! But look, after we have been forgiven, we remember how beautiful it is to forgive. As Solomon so poignantly stated, “it is a man’s glory to pass over a transgression,” (Proverbs 19:11).
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: Matthew 6:13a
We pray for protection, for it is pride to ask for testing. Often a strong man will succumb in the very area he is stoutest, as that’s when his guard is down and he is not trusting in the Lord’s unlimited strength. We have this treasure in earthen vessels (2 Corinthians 4:7), and it’s in our weakness and frailty that God is glorified as we move in his power. Praying for protection is the only wise thing to do in our fallen state. Protection from the evil desires of our old man and the World’s system, but also praying for protection from the Evil one!
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. Matthew 6:13b
This great prayer ends with the preeminence of the Father on display. His is the kingdom, the power and the glory. Presently, we get glimpses of his power and glory in his Creation. To look up at the night stars, to view a majestic waterfall, to observe a cheetah run, these dimly point to the authenticity of his majesty but can be missed by those without eyes that see beyond the visible. But someday this will surely be our reality. Now we pray in faith, but soon we will talk to him as a man does to his friend.
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will you heavenly Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15
A major key to the release from bondage in one’s life is to forgive his or her debtor. To forgive just means to release a debt. There is no requirement for the trespasser to apologize for forgiveness to occur. The Bible teaches, “that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,” (Romans 5:8). Forgiveness is what he did when we were far from him. Forgiveness releases the forgiver from the bitterness that otherwise would remain. Of course, if the trespasser does ask for forgiveness, well then, the stage is set for restitution.
Another aspect of forgiveness is that it is not the same as forgetting. It might even be considered foolish, if after forgiving a person who has wronged me without seeking restitution, that I go ahead and forget the injustice. That just sets the stage for the same abuse to occur again. As has been said, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me!
Lastly, in considering this somewhat difficult passage, we need to discuss how it has been wrongly interpreted as out of the flow of other statements on forgiveness. That’s because it seems to say that a prerequisite for God’s forgiveness is to forgive our debtor. We understand that this is not the case. We are forgiven completely and only by the blood of the Lamb. The work was finished. What this verse says is that as we forgive, yes, we receive forgiveness, but if we do not forgive, it is our trespasses, not our souls, that are not forgiven. The trespasses remain and will dog us due to our lack of being able to forgive. Brothers and sisters, it is a healthy thing to bury the hatchet!
The Lessor & Greater Reward (continued)
Moreover, when ye fast (Jesus apparently assumes that fasting is part of his followers’ lives!), be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Truly I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when you fast, anoint thine head, and wash your face: That you appear not unto men to fast, but unto your Father which is in secret: And your Father, which sees in secret, shall reward you openly. Matthew 6:16-18 (italics added)
Jesus considered fasting to be part of a believer’s life. In our day, this is not so common, much to our detriment. Looking into the Bible we see men fasting for both direction from God and liberation from temptation. Fasting is a key to spiritual swiftness. Do you want a breakthrough is a certain area of your life? Your marriage? Your kids? Consider fasting. It demonstrates to God & self that you are serious. God leans in when a person fasts. Abstaining from food, technology, TV, etc., is a spiritual discipline that weakens the flesh. It exercises the “no” muscle. When I say no to one thing, I am saying yes to another and vice versa.
Also, fasting quickens your ears to God’s voice. As my flesh tells me to eat, I find myself aware of my Maker much more acutely than when full & satisfied.
Lastly, we remember we are in a spiritual battle. Opportunities come my way daily to make Jesus famous or free a person from oppression. But our enemies are strong. If I’m out of shape, so to speak, I’m not as effective as I would be compared to if I were trim and fit spiritually. Fasting helps keep me ready for the battle. In that light, fasting really should be a way of life. As Francis Chan has said, the world needs more Christians who don’t tolerate the complacency of their own lives. Why would I want to be a justified saint when I could be a sanctified disciple!
In concluding Jesus’ comments on the lesser & greater rewards of giving, praying & fasting we see that our Example is emphasizing the heart. These three areas of spiritual life can be a wild blessing or an awful bummer, all depending upon my attitude. It’s a heart issue in the final analysis. Why am I giving, praying and/or fasting? If it is to be seen of men, manipulate God or assuage my guilt, then as our Lord taught, my reward is minimal, if anything at all. But, if I give, pray & fast without regard to men but to be an imitator of God, to converse with him and to lean in to him, then the blessing is unlimited.
Heavenly Treasure
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust does corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupts, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
God has blessed all of the souls of the world, both the just and the unjust with many good gifts. This next section of the constitution speaks of the dark side though of those good favors, of the possessions he has bestowed. It speaks of the black side of money, called the love of money and even the spiritual forces behind that love.
This section also is pointing our eyes up, it is pointing us toward heaven and reminding us that treasure here on this earth is fleeting as well as temporary. For instance, I am writing this portion of this book in 2020 during the midst of the Corona virus outbreak. Recently, the stock market lost over 30% of its value in just a few days when “social distancing” and “stay at home orders” were instituted. Wealth that Americans had accumulated over years of investing, just evaporated, just as Jesus said would happen. I’m reminded of an alliterative proverb as I consider the Provider’s words;
Labor not to be rich: Cease from thine own wisdom. Will thou set thine eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
Proverbs 23:4-5
Trusting in money is foolish! It will fly away. Or as the prophet proclaimed to the Jews of Jerusalem in 500 BC who were busy working on their own houses instead of the Lord’s, “he that earns wages earns wages to put it into a bag with holes,” (Haggai 1:6).
Also trusting in my treasure, my possessions, my money in this life is foolish because life is so short! Think of it this way. Let’s say I have a job in Butte Montana for a month. I’m going to unpack my suitcase, hang up my shirts and put my underclothes into the drawer of the Holiday Inn but it would sort of be silly to decorate my room with my life savings! But this is exactly what so many of us are doing. We use the treasure (money) the Lord has given us to enrichen our little kingdoms ever forgetting that tomorrow we could reach the end of our stay, so to speak. Our lives, even if eighty or ninety years, are but a moment in comparison to eternity.
No, Jesus gives the better way. Lay up for myself treasure in heaven. There, it won’t be ripped off by thieves, there it won’t decay with time. As he famously stated, where my treasure is, there my heart will be also. My heart, that is, my innermost emotions, the things I value the most, will follow where I’ve put my treasure. Thus, it is important to remember that heaven is my home, is my destiny. That will take the emphasis off “living the dream” here and now. I want to focus, not on my pleasure here, but my treasure there!
So, how does one lay up treasure in heaven? Easy, determine what is temporal and what is eternal. Then put your treasure (money, time & talent) towards the everlasting bucket. What is eternal in our world today? Why people, of course! (And my dogs too, I hope!) Everything else will not last, but people go on into eternity. As Levi Lusko has taught, humans are immortals heading toward majesty or misery. So, I want to use my treasure to help people toward the Light. I want to extinguish some of the darkness with my money, with my time, with my talents, with my treasure. You see, I can’t take my money with me, but I can send it on ahead!
Let me give you a little reminder of what we are speeding toward, a little incentive to stay the course;
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: For the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, behold, I make all things new. Revelation 21:3-5a
What a future we have as we live for and move toward the majesty he has promised!
Continuing with Jesus’ words;
The light of the body is the eye: If therefore your eye be single, your whole body shall be full of light. But if your eye be evil, your whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you be darkness, how great is that darkness! Matthew 6:22-23
A single eye is an oriental way of saying that a person is trusting in God. In contrast, a person with an evil eye is one that is trusting in money and possessions. That person is in the dark and ultimately may be taken out eternally because of his or her trust in things that have no eternal consequence.
He that hastens to be rich has an evil eye, and considers not that poverty shall come upon him. Proverbs 22:28
Next, we will discuss the spiritual force behind greed, selfishness and covetousness. The spirit of Mammon!
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. You cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24
Paul taught that the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10). That love is driven by a powerful spirit called Mammon. This spirit, which is from the pit of Hell, influences men to trust in money and possessions over trusting God. It is contrary to the spirit of the Lord which seeks to have us trust in him, to walk by faith, over trusting in our paychecks and 401K’s. Jesus teaches that is it impossible to have faith in both, for one will be hated and the other loved. I cannot waver between two opinions! The spirit of mammon is more than just money also, it’s all created things. If I idolize my sports team, my spouse or my BMW to the point that it is my “go to” place in the day of trouble, well then, I’ve got a problem. Obviously, the spirit of mammon won’t save in that same dark day, only my Lord can do that!
Our Lord is not saying we cannot use and enjoy the gifts we have been given, including money, but he is saying these things need to be in their proper place. The key word in this famous statement of his is “serve.” I must not serve mammon, I want to serve God, keep everything under his authority. You see, what defines our lives are the things we hold onto tightly. The main symptom of being ruled by mammon is having much fear about money. Ask yourself, do I fear God or do I fear losing my retirement plan? Make the proper adjustment in prayer to our Savior if it is the latter. Mammon can be a master, much like a religion, while in actuality it is but a “house of cards.” It looks beautiful and ornate, but oh how fragile it can be. A little puff of wind and down it goes, taking all who idolize it with them. Flee away from this spirit dear believer. It is loud & strong but ultimately cannot save! “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart…in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths,” (Proverbs 3:5&6b).
O Ye of Little Faith
Therefore, I say to you, take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than meat, and the body more than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: For they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say to you, that even Solomon in all of his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore, take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink? Or, wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after these things do the Gentiles seek:). For your heavenly Father knows you have need of these things. Matthew 6:25-32
Three times the Lord says to take no thought. We would say take no worry. Don’t be anxious about your basic daily needs. God will take care of you. Don’t be like the Gentiles. In today’s verbiage, he is saying, don’t be like unbelievers. You belong to the Father, have faith! He uses three examples of which so many of us worry. Food, drink and clothing. Will we have enough money left over at the end of the month to feed the kids, to get them clothes for school? Jesus says don’t worry about these things; your Father is faithful. As David penned, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread,” (Psalm 37:25).
You see, worry makes problems bigger and does not accomplish anything. Jesus points out that worry is unnatural. Look at the birds, God takes care of them. You are valued even more than they, is our Father’s heart. Be carefree people like the lilies. Don’t get all worked up. Better is to cast our worries to God in prayer with thanksgiving, (Philippians 4:6).
Besides making our problems bigger, worry, which lead to fear, delights our Adversary. This is not what I want! I want to delight my Father by walking in faith. And Satan really likes to get me going about the future. What will come to pass, etc. When I find myself fearing some future scenario, I try to remember that fear is not the opposite of faith, but an occasion for faith. I want to use my fear to call out to God in faith. Actually, the future is a phantom. The Devil uses it to spook me! It almost never turns out to be the way I envisioned. A trick I learned from Sarah Young’s daily devotional is to imagine Jesus with me in that troublesome future and then bring my mind back to the present. I want to live for eternity and the present, not the past or the future. The Amplified Bible version gives a wonderful rendering of Hebrews 11:1 which I find helpful; “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses.” Faith goes outside of the five senses. It sees into the unseen spiritual world which God inhabits, (Isaiah 57:15a). Much like accepting radio waves and x-rays as real, faith understands that there is much swirling around that is out of reach of my senses but nonetheless real and in play.
Finally, this self-talk that I tell myself about myself is related to fear and faith. Fear establishes the limits of my life while faith breaks them!
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 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. Matthew 6:33-34
Along with faith in God, trusting in the Father, Jesus concludes this portion of the Sermon on the Mount by reminding us to seek the things of the Kingdom, to strive for his Kingdom, to continually pursue the eternal over the temporal, over my little kingdom. That means to seek the Lord’s agenda, his rule. Ultimately my little world will be meaningless and worthless without hitching my wagon to his. I want to hold onto his hand tightly like a little boy would hold onto his father’s hand when crossing over a river on a fallen tree trunk. The psalms hold a promise that speaks to this relationship;
Nevertheless, I am continually with thee: Thou has held me by my right hand. Thou shall guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Psalm 73:23-24
So, I don’t want to worry about tomorrow. It won’t be like I imagine anyway. I want to live in the present, enjoying the journey as much as the destination. And I certainly don’t want to rehearse my troubles. The only thing that will do is let me experience them multiple times. No, the Kingdom mentality calls me to trust totally in my Father’s provision & protection. To be dependent on him over trusting in my limited abilities and resources. To eat from the Tree of Life over eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil.
Summary:
Giving, praying & fasting are not to be done to be seen of men.
A primary purpose of prayer is to get the petitioner’s will to line up with God’s.
The Lord’s Prayer speaks of the Father’s person, purpose, provision, pardon, protection & preeminence.
In the Bible we see fasting employed for direction from God & liberation from temptation.
To lay up treasure in heaven, determine what is eternal, then put a portion of your time, talent & money toward those things.
Worry for the child of God is unnatural & leads to fear. Trust pleases the Father & leads to peace.
For Further Study:
What is your primary motivator for giving? Is tithing relevant for the New Testament believer?
How can your prayers be hindered?
When you forgive what benefit do you receive? Is restoration with your offender required to forgive?
What would be a benefit of making fasting a way of life?
Why is the love of money the root of all evil? With which of the seven deadly sins is the love of money related?
When worry strikes, do you have a Bible verse or two with which to respond? Hint: See Philippians 4:6-7 & Proverbs 3:5-6