Day 8: Matthew 6

Jesus' followers are not to be hypocrites or like the world around them

Jesus now turns his attention to hypocrisy- acting. People who parade their good deeds for the praise of  other people- almost certainly the Pharisees. So Jesus followers are to give in secret, pray in secret (and simply and for the Kingdom of which Jesus has spoken) and fast in secret to avoid hypocrisy.

Jesus then adjusts their thinking towards money and possessions. They are not to think like the world around them.He teaches them to lay up treasure in heaven so that their hearts will be there. To serve God and not money. Get your eye on the wrong thing and you're doomed to darkness. Jesus followers are to have faith and not be anxious- God provides for His creation- how much more His people! This links nicely back to the basic petitions in the Lord's prayer- expressing faith by asking God to give us what we need.