Jesus teaches his people how to do righteousness. Often, people act, not only to help others, but also to be seen and praised by them. Some religious leaders craved attention and publicly announced their righteous acts to be honored by others. Jesus calls us to do righteous acts with the right motive: to please God, to help the needy, and to care for them genuinely. Giving to the poor is a good, necessary act, yet God sees the motive behind it. It should be done in such a way that “the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing.” It should be done before the eyes of God. And God’s reward will always be far greater than human praise.

Jesus also teaches us the right way to pray. The religious leaders sought attention by praying loudly in public places. But Jesus calls us to pray in private, where we can focus on God with a sincere heart—listening and speaking to him simply and honestly, in alignment with his will. God desires our hearts, not our performance in prayer.

Fasting is a valuable spiritual discipline, but Jesus warns against fasting merely to gain recognition from others. He teaches us to fast in secret before God. We should strive for genuine devotion with the right motive—seeking God’s approval and reward above all else.
Application: Lord, you see what I do. Help me live by faith in your eyes simply and genuinely.
One Word: God sees and rewards