A Simple Chart That Shaped This Study
This week during our Wednesday night Bible study, I decided to slow things down and make a simple chart as we walked through Matthew 6. Across the top, I wrote three questions we ask every week:
How can I believe God more?
How can I have more faith?
How can I walk more like Jesus?
As we read each section, I placed the verses under those three headings. What stood out quickly was that Jesus is not only teaching what to do, but shaping how we think, what we trust, and how we live. Belief shapes faith. Faith shapes action. And action reveals what we really believe.
I’ve tried to reflect that flow more clearly in this article.
Giving in Secret — Trusting the Father Who Sees
Jesus opens Matthew 6 by warning us about doing good works for the wrong reason.
“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.”
(Matthew 6:1, KJV)
Giving is good. Helping others is good. But when giving becomes a performance, the focus shifts from God to winning people’s affection.
“But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”
(Matthew 6:3–4, KJV)
The idea is not secrecy for secrecy’s sake, but freedom from needing approval. God sees even when no one else does.
Belief: God sees what others do not see.
Faith: I can trust Him to reward at the right time.
Walk: I give without needing credit or recognition.
This kind of giving trains the heart to live for God instead of applause.
Prayer — Aligning With God’s Will, Not Performing for Others
Jesus then turns to prayer and makes the same point.
“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are… that they may be seen of men.”
(Matthew 6:5, KJV)
Prayer is not meant to impress. It is meant to connect with God in faith and trust.
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet… and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”
(Matthew 6:6, KJV)
Jesus then gives us a pattern for prayer:
“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”
(Matthew 6:9–10, KJV)
That phrase “in earth, as it is in heaven” matters. Heaven is whole. Heaven is not sick. Heaven is not lacking. When we pray this, we are saying that God’s will does not change between heaven and earth. So many people think differently from God’s will, and this verse really helps us focus on what His will really is.
Later Jesus says:
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
(Matthew 6:11, KJV)
This is a daily dependence prayer. God is not just a future provider. He is today’s provider.
And then:
“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
(Matthew 6:12, KJV)
Jesus makes this connection clear again:
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
(Matthew 6:14, KJV)
Forgiveness is not just received. It is lived. God wants us to forgive others as He has forgiven us. This is so important.
Belief: God forgives and knows my needs before I ask.
Faith: I receive His forgiveness and provision daily.
Walk: I forgive others and live unburdened.
Fasting — Living for God’s Reward, Not Man’s Approval
Jesus applies the same heart issue to fasting.
“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance… that they may appear unto men to fast.”
(Matthew 6:16, KJV)
Instead:
“But thou, when thou fastest… appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret.”
(Matthew 6:17–18, KJV)
Fasting done for attention misses the point. But fasting done quietly builds trust.
Belief: God notices what is done in secret.
Faith: His reward is better than public praise.
Walk: I act faithfully even when no one sees.
Treasure and Focus — What the Heart Is Really Attached To
Jesus then speaks directly to what we value.
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt.”
(Matthew 6:19, KJV)
Earthly things fade, decay, and disappear. But:
“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
(Matthew 6:20–21, KJV)
What we treasure reveals where our heart already lives. Let us be a people who build treasure in heaven by sharing Jesus with others. Working to bring souls into the Kingdom by doing what Jesus did.
Jesus goes deeper:
“The light of the body is the eye.”
(Matthew 6:22, KJV)
What we look at fills us. A single eye brings light. A divided focus reveals the darkness in our hearts.
“No man can serve two masters… Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
(Matthew 6:24, KJV)
Mammon promises security, but it cannot be God.
Belief: What I focus on shapes who I become.
Faith: Fixing my eyes on Jesus fills my life with light.
Walk: I choose one master who is Christ Jesus and follow Him fully.
Worry and Provision — Trusting God One Day at a Time
Jesus closes Matthew 6 by addressing worry.
“Take no thought for your life…
Behold the fowls of the air… yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.”
(Matthew 6:25–26, KJV)
Jesus is not ignoring real needs. He is reminding us who meets them.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
(Matthew 6:33, KJV)
Each day has enough trouble on its own:
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow… Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
(Matthew 6:34, KJV)
Faith lives in today. Worry lives in tomorrow.
Belief: God knows what I need. God promises to provide.
Faith: I trust Him to provide today, and I tackle the issues in front of me today.
Walk: I seek His kingdom first and refuse fear.
Living the Kingdom Life
Matthew 6 is not about trying harder. It is about trusting deeper. It’s about living a life that does the Kingdom in secret not needing to be recognized by people to earn their praise, but by living for His praise.
We believe God by trusting that He sees, forgives, and provides.
We grow in faith by aligning our hearts with His kingdom.
We walk like Jesus by giving, praying, forgiving, trusting, and not worrying.
Jesus lived what He taught. He preached the gospel of the kingdom, healed the sick, and trusted the Father completely.
And He invites us to do the same — one day at a time.