In the sixth Chapter of Matthew there are many life lessons for us to learn; Today I will look at three of them.
Giving to the needy.
This lesson highlights our human nature and our need to have the spotlight on us; wanting others to see that we are “good” and doing “good”. We do not see that the spotlight and our need for other’s validation and a job well done pat on the back is self glorification and not of God. God wants us to give without the need to proclaim it (and I know there are those who are like this). God wants us to remove ourselves from the picture and give with our heart and do for others without the fanfare that the flesh craves. He wants us to be a reflection of him. Throughout Matthew we see where Jesus healed many and told them to tell no one but to keep it to themselves.
Treasures in Heaven
This lesson shows us how unwise it is to try and acquire everything under the sun – wealth, fame, fortune, friends; all of these can go at any minute. It is wise however to acquire treasures above the sun, these are eternal; and can never be taken away once we have them. They are ours and will be ours for keeps – love, joy, peace and an eternal life. These eternal treasures should be our focus; if we focus on the things of the world we cannot focus on God. If our hearts are in the right place then we will have right intentions so even our acquisition of earthly “things” will play “second fiddle” because our hearts will be aligned to our eternal treasures. We absolutely cannot love the world and God.
Do not worry
This last lesson highlights that as parents we are obligated to take care of our children. So it is with God, he chose us and so like any parent (we are sons and daughters of God) He will take care of us – so we need not worry. Seek God first and his way of doing things, do what is required and he will do the rest. God wants us to live life free of worry or going after things on our own; things that he can easily give to us. God wants us focused on the important things such as right living, he knows what we need and he will give it to us once we seek him first. That is a promise from Him to us.
