20-Oct-2024 – Do it in secret
That your alms may be in secret: and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you openly. – Matthew 6:4
Cleansing is the process of removing impurities or unwanted elements to make something clean, pure, or free from imperfections. This concept can apply not only to physical objects or spaces but also metaphorically to our emotions, thoughts, and moral actions.
In line with our monthly theme, “God Cleanses,” we reflect on how God removes the impurities from our thoughts and actions, making us clean and pure in His sight.
In this chapter, we see several examples of where we are imperfect, yet God provides a way to correct and perfect those imperfections.
The first example is about giving alms. In today’s world, many people engage in charity work, driven by compassion for others’ situations. However, a lot of people seek recognition for their charitable acts, desiring acknowledgment or at least to be seen as good individuals.
But God reminds us that every act of charity we perform is seen and rewarded by Him. The desire to help others is something God has placed within us, and He takes it seriously, as He mentions in several places. For example:
“And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” – Matthew 10:42
If we are not mindful of this truth, we may start seeking recognition from those around us, hoping for acknowledgment of our kindness and feeling prideful in our hearts. However, seeking recognition from others can cancel the reward that is due from God.
If God is the one rewarding us for what we do, we can be certain that His reward is the best thing possible for our lives. So, how does God cleanse us in this area? Through His word of truth, reminding us of the principle of giving in secret and being rewarded by God, as we saw in the verse at the start.
The second area God addresses today is our prayer life.
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:6
For every believer, whether new or seasoned, prayer is one of the most essential activities. We pray to God for various things, both small and significant. However, there is a principle in prayer: we are instructed to pray in secret. Why?
“For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others.” – Matthew 6:5
When we pray openly, there is a risk that our focus shifts from being heard by God to being seen by others, gaining recognition as a devout or prayerful person. To avoid this trap, God advises us to conduct our personal prayers in private, ensuring our focus remains on God alone and His answers.
Of course, there are times when public prayer is necessary—during church services, corporate prayers, or when we find ourselves in difficult situations. In such cases, we naturally pray regardless of the setting.
God looks at the heart. Whether we are helping others or praying, He cares about our motivations. Being human, our motivations are often imperfect. Today, God cleanses us by reminding us of the best way to act: do it in secret—whether giving or praying—and He will reward you openly.
Prayer
Dear loving heavenly Father, thank You for teaching and cleansing me through Your word. I acknowledge that I sometimes crave recognition from others for the small things I do and for my devotion. Help me to shift my focus to You, to care only about what You think and see in me. Help me to build a strong, secret prayer life. I ask this in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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