The Sermon on the Mount: Jesus’ Teachings on Giving, Praying, and Fasting

The Sermon on the Mount: Jesus’ Teachings on Giving, Praying, and Fasting

The Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew chapters 5-7, is one of the most famous and influential teachings of Jesus. It’s a collection of ethical and spiritual teachings that offer profound insights into the Christian faith. In this sermon, Jesus addresses a wide range of topics, including:

• The Beatitudes
• Salt and Light
• The Law and the Prophets
• Anger, Adultery, and Divorce
• The Eye and the Hand
• Giving, Praying, and Fasting
• Judging Others
• The Narrow and Wide Gates
• Building on the Rock
• The Wise and Foolish Builders

Today, we’ll focus on Jesus’ teachings on giving, praying, and fasting, which are intertwined and offer valuable lessons for our lives.

Giving: More Than Just Money

Jesus emphasizes the importance of giving, not just financially, but also in terms of our time, talents, and compassion. He cautions against giving for recognition or to impress others. Instead, he encourages giving with a pure heart, motivated by love and generosity.

Key Points from Jesus’ Teaching on Giving:

• Don’t give to be seen by others: “When you give to the needy, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Your giving should be secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:3-4).
• Give generously and with joy: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).
• Giving is a reflection of our hearts: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

Praying: Seeking God’s Will

Jesus instructs his followers on how to pray effectively. He discourages repetitive, showy prayers, emphasizing the importance of seeking God’s will and communicating with him from the heart.

Key Points from Jesus’ Teaching on Praying:

• Pray in secret: “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).
• Pray with sincerity: “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words” (Matthew 6:7).
• Pray for God’s will: “Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24).

Fasting: A Time of Spiritual Discipline

Fasting, the intentional abstinence from food, is a practice used for spiritual growth and reflection. Jesus encourages fasting with humility and sincerity, not as a way to show off or gain recognition.

Key Points from Jesus’ Teaching on Fasting:

• Fast in secret: “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full” (Matthew 6:16).
• Fast with a pure heart: “But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men 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” (Matthew 6:17-18).
• Fasting is a time for spiritual growth: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry” (Matthew 4:1-2).

Applying Jesus’ Teachings Today

Jesus’ teachings on giving, praying, and fasting remain relevant today. They challenge us to examine our motives and to live out our faith with sincerity and humility. By practicing these principles, we can deepen our relationship with God and make a positive impact on the world around us.

Whether it’s giving generously to those in need, praying earnestly for God’s guidance, or setting aside time for spiritual reflection, these practices can transform our lives and bring us closer to the heart of God.