Matthew 6:1–18 | Giving, Prayer, and Fasting

Reflection

Matthew 6:1–18 continues the Sermon on the Mount as Jesus teaches about giving, prayer, forgiveness, and fasting.

Throughout the passage, one theme appears repeatedly: our faith should be directed toward God rather than performed for the approval of other people.

Jesus warns against giving simply to be noticed. Instead, generosity can be offered quietly, trusting that our Father sees what is done in secret.

He gives the same warning about prayer.

Prayer is not a performance designed to impress an audience, nor does God need endless words before He will listen. Jesus reminds His disciples that their Father already knows what they need.

He then gives them a pattern for prayer: honour God’s name, seek His Kingdom and will, depend on Him for daily provision, ask for forgiveness, extend forgiveness to others, and seek His protection from temptation and evil.

Jesus especially emphasises forgiveness. Those who live by God’s mercy are called to become people who extend mercy.

Finally, Jesus addresses fasting. Once again, the issue is motive. Fasting should not become a way of advertising spiritual devotion.

Matthew 6:1–18 therefore challenges us to examine not only what we do, but why we do it.

God sees what others cannot see.

He sees the quiet prayer, the hidden generosity, the sacrifice nobody notices, and the motives beneath our actions.

Jesus invites us to cultivate a genuine life with God that remains faithful even when there is no human audience.