Our Daily Manner

Matthew 6:16-24

^[16] "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ^[17] But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, ^[18] so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ^[19] "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ^[20] But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ^[21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ^[22] "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. ^[23] But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! ^[24] "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Meditate

Consider: 

Fasting need not exclusively refer to food. Think of it in relation to television, or technology in general. Sometimes we need a break from them for our spiritual well-being.

 

Think Further: 

"Show me your treasure and I'll show you where your heart is" (N. T. Wright). Stop and think about that. If you're like me, your first thought at the mention of treasure is about things like your bank account, savings, pension and so on. But then I asked myself: What matters to me? Is it what people think? How I come across in the church? How I do on my job evaluation? What another person (fill in the blank) thinks of me? Let's apply this to the two topics in today's reading: fasting and money.

There is room for different attitudes among Christians to fasting. In the Old Testament it is particularly associated with mourning and with repentance. The New Testament doesn't say much about it and nowhere commands it. Jesus fasted at the beginning of his ministry, but he denounced the Pharisees for expecting his disciples to practice it. What matters to God is not whether you fast, but what your motives are.

Jesus then zeroes in on money, which more than most things in our lives has the power to dominate our thinking. Remember the story he told about the successful farmer (Luke 12:16-21)? The global financial crises that started in 2006 have certainly reminded us that the future is not as certain as we thought it was. How have we responded? By being more anxious than ever about our money, or by rejoicing that the kingdom of God is of first importance to us?

The section about light is based on ancient ideas of how we see and has puzzled commentators, but the point is clear: "how spiritually disoriented is a life which ... aims to amass and hold on to ‘treasure on earth'" (R. T. France). No one can serve two masters. Where is your treasure?

Apply: 

What is the connection between our treasure and our heart? How are you storing up treasures in heaven?

Pray: 

Father, in relation to priorities and possessions, I am always in need of evaluation and correction. Again today, I put you first and direct my heart afresh to You.