Matthew Chapter 6

Matthew 6 — “Life Before the Father in the Kingdom of Heaven”

Matthew 5 revealed the righteousness of the Kingdom.
Matthew 6 now reveals its inner life.

If Matthew 5 tells us what holiness looks like,
Matthew 6 shows us who it is for.

The Kingdom is not a stage.
It is a family.

1. Righteousness Is Not Performance

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them.” (Matt 6:1)

Jesus does not condemn righteousness.
He condemns the desire to be seen.

True holiness is lived before God, not for applause.

St Augustine writes:

“The hypocrite seeks the praise of men; the saint seeks the gaze of God.”
(Sermons)

Public religion without private devotion becomes theatre.

2. Giving That God Sees

“When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” (v. 3)

Almsgiving belongs to God alone.

The poor do not repay us.
God does.

Christ is not forbidding public charity —
He is forbidding self-display.

In the Kingdom, generosity flows from gratitude, not pride.

3. Prayer as Child to Father

“When you pray, go into your room…” (v. 6)

Prayer is not performance.

It is relationship.

The disciple is not an orator before a crowd —
he is a child before a Father.

St Cyprian writes:

“We pray not as beggars before a stranger, but as children before our Father.”
(On the Lord’s Prayer)

4. The Lord’s Prayer

“Our Father…” (v. 9)

Jesus gives not merely a prayer,
but a theology.

God is Father.
We are children.
The Kingdom is family.

Each petition forms the Christian soul:

• God’s holiness
• God’s reign
• God’s will
• God’s provision
• God’s mercy
• God’s protection

This prayer is the map of salvation.

St Augustine teaches:

“If you pray this well, you ask for everything rightly.”
(Sermons)

5. Forgiveness Is the Gate of the Kingdom

“If you do not forgive others…” (v. 15)

This is terrifying — and holy.

The forgiven must forgive.

Grace that does not become mercy is rejected grace.

The Cross demands love in return.

6. Fasting for God Alone

“When you fast…” (v. 16)

Fasting is not self-punishment.
It is hunger redirected toward God.

True fasting makes room for grace.

The Kingdom teaches us to desire rightly.

7. Treasure in Heaven

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…” (v. 19)

What we love reveals where we live.

Heaven is not only future —
it is orientation.

St John Chrysostom writes:

“Your treasure is where your heart has already gone.”
(Homilies on Matthew)

8. The Eye Is the Lamp

“The eye is the lamp of the body…” (v. 22)

What you look at shapes who you become.

Holiness begins with vision.

Sin begins with misplaced desire.

9. God or Mammon

“You cannot serve God and money.” (v. 24)

This is not metaphor.

It is a choice.

Every life has a master.

The Kingdom demands allegiance.

10. Do Not Be Anxious

“Do not be anxious about your life…” (v. 25)

Anxiety reveals misplaced trust.

God feeds birds.
God clothes flowers.
God cares for His children.

Worry denies divine fatherhood.

11. Seek First the Kingdom

“Seek first the kingdom of God…” (v. 33)

This is the centre of Christian life.

Not success.
Not security.
Not comfort.

The Kingdom.

Everything else follows.

Theological Summary

ThemeMeaning
PrayerRelationship
GivingGratitude
ForgivenessCovenant
FastingDesire purified
TreasureEternal orientation
TrustGod as Father

Christ in Matthew 6

  • Christ does not tell us about God.
  • He brings us to the Father.
  • The Son opens the family of heaven.

Spiritual Application

  • Live for God’s eyes.
  • Forgive freely.
  • Pray sincerely.
  • Trust completely.

Closing Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
teach us to live not for applause, but for love.
Free us from anxiety,
purify our desires,
and make us faithful children of Your Kingdom,
through Jesus Christ Your Son,
who lives and reigns forever.
Amen.