Matthew 6:1

PIETY WITHOUT DISPLAY. -- Matthew 6:1-15.

GOLDEN TEXT. -- Man looketh at the outward appearance, but God looketh upon the heart. -- 1 Samuel 16:7. TIME AND PLACE. --Same as in the last two lessons. HELPFUL READINGS. -- Matthew 5:27-48; Luke 11:1-4; Luke 14:12-14.

LESSON ANALYSIS. --1. The Right and Wrong Way of Giving; 2. The Right and Wrong Way of Praying; 3. Teaching the Disciples to Pray.

INTRODUCTION.

The first chapter of the Sermon on the Mount is devoted to moral obligations; the second chapter passes to religious duties. It has been declared that the righteousness of the citizens of the kingdom must surpass that of the Scribes and Pharisees, and the Lord now teaches what kind of righteousness is demanded in regard to the Heavenly Father. Three leading manifestations of piety among those who listened to his words, alms-giving, prayer, and fasting are taken up; the method of the hypocrites is described and the right way is pointed out.

I. THE RIGHT AND WRONG WAY OF GIVING.

1. Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men to be seen.

The Common Version is wrong and the Revision right in using the word "righteousness." The Savior condemns, generally, ostentatious piety, and then he singles three illustrations of his meaning. The Christian is not forbidden to practice righteousness before men, but to make his object to be seen. So many make. great show of piety, while there is little reality. Many are sanctimonious and devout in the synagogue or church, who are anything else but religious at home. Those whose aim is to secure the praise of men by their show of righteousness get their reward in human admiration, and will have no reward from the Heavenly Father. He looks at the motive that inspires the deed. There is such. tendency to act for human approval that obedience to this injunction is difficult.