Giving

Jesus said:

1When you do good deeds, don't try to show off. If you do, you won't get a reward from your Father in heaven.6.1: Mt 23.5.

2When you give to the poor, don't blow a loud horn. That's what show-offs do in the meeting places and on the street corners, because they are always looking for praise. I can assure you that they already have their reward.

3When you give to the poor, don't let anyone know about it.6.3 don't let anyone know about it: The Greek text has, “Don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” 4Then your gift will be given in secret. Your Father knows what is done in secret, and he will reward you.

Prayer

(Luke 11.2-4)

Jesus continued:

5When you pray, don't be like those show-offs who love to stand up and pray in the meeting places and on the street corners. They do this just to look good. I can assure you that they already have their reward.6.5: Lk 18.10-14.

6When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private, and he will reward you.

7When you pray, don't talk on and on as people do who don't know God. They think God likes to hear long prayers. 8Don't be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask.

9You should pray like this:

Our Father in heaven,

help us to honour

your name.

10Come and set up

your kingdom,

so that everyone on earth

will obey you,

as you are obeyed

in heaven.

11Give us our food for today.6.11 our food for today: Or “the food that we need” or “our food for the coming day”.

12Forgive us for doing wrong,

as we forgive others.

13Keep us from being tempted

and protect us from evil.6.13 evil: Or “the evil one”, that is, the devil. Some manuscripts add, “The kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours for ever. Amen.”

14If you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, your Father in heaven will forgive you.6.14,15: Mk 11.25,26. 15But if you don't forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Worshipping God by going without eating

Jesus continued:

16When you go without eating,6.16 without eating: See the note at 4.2. don't try to look gloomy as those show-offs do when they go without eating. I can assure you that they already have their reward. 17Instead, comb your hair and wash your face. 18Then others won't know that you are going without eating. But your Father sees what is done in private, and he will reward you.

Treasures in heaven

(Luke 12.33,34)

Jesus continued:

19Don't store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them.6.19: Jas 5.2,3. 20Instead, store up your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy them, and thieves cannot break in and steal them. 21Your heart will always be where your treasure is.

Light

(Luke 11.34-36)

Jesus continued:

22Your eyes are like a window for your body. When they are good, you have all the light you need. 23But when your eyes are bad, everything is dark. If the light inside you is dark, you are in the dark.

Money

(Luke 16.13)

Jesus continued:

24You cannot be the slave of two masters! You will like one more than the other or be more loyal to one than the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Worry

(Luke 12.22-31)

Jesus continued:

25I tell you not to worry about your life. Don't worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn't life more than food or clothing? 26Look at the birds in the sky! They don't plant or harvest. They don't even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren't you worth more than birds?

27Can worry make you live longer?6.27 live longer: Or “grow taller”. 28Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don't work hard to make their clothes. 29But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth6.29 Solomon with all his wealth: The Jewish people thought that Solomon was the richest person who had ever lived. wasn't as well clothed as one of them.6.29: 1 K 10.4-7; 2 Ch 9.3-6. 30God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. He will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith?

31Don't worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” 32Only people who don't know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all these. 33But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.

34Don't worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.