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We have looked in Matthew Chapter 6 at Jesus Christ’s simple yet profound and practical teaching on giving and prayer and fasting. Do not be like the hypocrites, and just go through the motions, in order to get credit from other people.

The heartbeat is not this practice or that practice, but our relationship with God.

There are various references here to doing things in secret – verse 4 – verse 6 – and verse 18. It appears in each of these three activities.

We have almost to disguise these three activities, even allowing fasting to appear as feasting. There is one who sees and hears. Ah yes, God sees and hears.

Jesus makes this so clear. God the Father sees when we mean business with Him.

Those who did all this to be seen had already received their reward in full.

There is one who watches and listens and notices and responds.

When we meet for worship and prayer, is this just something which only a few people do in our land today, and which many consider irrelevant?

God wants our heart and our love and our mind. He wants to hear our voice.

And we almost have to pray – Help us to give to the needy – Help us to pray – Help us to fast when it is right.

Jesus was teaching what the scribes and Pharisees were not teaching their disciples, and we move on from verse 19. Jesus is teaching about our relationship with God.

What is our God ward orientation – the life live with Him in view – the life lived for His “well done” – according to His Word – the life lived in His strength.

Jesus goes on to speak about storing things up – our vision – and our service – and whom we will serve God or money, or a better word ‘possessions’.

He draws contrasts – we can store up treasures here or in heaven. Our vision can be clear or clouded. We can either serve God or mammon, the god of money – which can be interpreted as ‘possessions’. Some do worship their ‘possessions’.

How we decide affects the future, whether we are aware of it or not.

Jesus did not want these disciples to be spiritually bankrupt when it was all over down here, and we can apply that to ourselves. There is the challenge here to invest –investing money and time and ability and talents, and whatever else we have to invest.

Jesus wants His disciples to choose wisely.

It was Thomas Chalmers who helped encourage the start and launch of The Savings Bank movement in Glasgow, Scotland, for poor people to have something for when needed. Here was a leading biblical preacher’s social involvement all these years ago.

Notice how Jesus says that we are not to save up for ourselves! In a sense Jesus is speaking about coveting. Are we able to give things up, or do they have a hold of us?

Verse 22 – our vision – imagery that has to do with lights and lamps has to do with our understanding.

Sin has a cataract effect – our spiritual sight goes that bit more cloudy. Jesus did not want His disciples to have a clouded vision. Where is our spiritual vision?

If there is something wrong with our spiritual sight, Jesus has that desire to correct us.

There are two treasures – two visions – two masters. Where are you investing? What is you clear unclouded vision? Which Master are you sincerely and earnestly and faithfully serving? These are important questions for disciples of Jesus.

Acquiring wealth in some places is almost a national obsession. Treasure can be money – possessions – clothes – homes – position or popularity in society – power – fame. These things do no satisfy because they do not last.

What we focus upon is important.

"Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life" from Tom Kelley

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