April 8, 2025
- djohnstoncc
- Apr 8
- 2 min read
WHEN YOU GIVE; PRAY; AND FAST
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you….But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you….Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:4, 6, 18 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Jesus gives us great instructions about our giving, praying, and fasting. These have historically been the three pillars of expected behavior of those who are followers of Jesus.
In each case Jesus doesn’t say, “if you give, pray, or fast.” He says, “when you give, pray, and fast.” There was an obvious expectation that these actions would be a normal part of the life of a follower of Jesus.
Another parallel between each of these actions is that they were not to be done to impress people. We are to give, pray, and fast as a private matter between us and God.
Then there is another connection with each of these directives from Jesus, He reminds us that our Father, “who knows what you do in private…will reward you.”
Our public reward from God comes because of our private time of obedience. It is what we do in the secret places of our lives that open the door for God’s blessings. Sometimes these are very public blessings and sometimes they are very private. But we can expect blessings to come when we choose to do the right things in private.
God sees everything we do in private. Nothing is hidden from Him. We may act spiritual in church on a Sunday morning, but God sees our heart and knows our motivation. He is watching to see what we do in the private times of our lives.
Are there some adjustments you need to make to your private times? I try to pray regularly that I will be the same person in private as I am in public. I pray that my time with God in the secret place will open doors of ministry in the public places.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit help me to spend time with You in the private place. Help me to be faithful in my giving, praying, and fasting to accomplish Your will in my life. Let my life be marked with integrity.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
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