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the hypocrites whose religion is an empty show before men? Jesus repeated 3 times in this passage, "I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full." Their only reward is the admiration and honor people give them for their "good deeds".
If this is true, then how should we give to the needy? Jesus said we should give secretly, as if one hand doesn't even know what the other hand is doing. (v. 3-4) How should we pray? Jesus said we should pray secretly, in our room with the door closed, speaking to our unseen Father. (v. 6) How should we fast? Jesus said we should put oil on our head and wash our face - to look like we are well-fed -- so that only our unseen Father knows that we are fasting. (v. 17-18)
What is the result of secretly giving to the poor, secretly praying, and secretly fasting only because of our love of God and not to be seen by others? Jesus repeated 3 times, "Your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." This passage makes it clear that we need to examine the motives for our acts of kindness and for our worship. Wrong motives rob us of an eternal reward.
Jesus taught here in verses 7-15 about what prayer should not be like and what it should be like. We are not to pray as the pagans or heathens who
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