Sept. 10, 2025

What Did Jesus Teach About Giving, Prayer, Fasting, and Worry? (Sermon on the Mount Part 3)

Introduction

Have you ever caught yourself doing the right thing… but for the wrong reason? Maybe you gave to someone in need but secretly hoped someone would notice. Maybe you prayed, but your mind was on what others might think. Or maybe you’ve lain awake at night, worrying about money, your future, or whether you’re really enough.

In Part 1 of this series, we discovered who Jesus calls “blessed” — not the powerful or the wealthy, but the humble, the meek, and the hungry for righteousness.
In Part 2, we saw how He pressed deeper than rules, calling us to guard our hearts against anger, lust, dishonesty, and retaliation — and to even love our enemies.

Now in Part 3, Jesus shifts from how we relate to others to how we relate to God. He talks about giving to the needy, prayer, fasting, and even how we handle money and worry. And the theme running through it all is simple but life-changing: true devotion comes from the heart, not from putting on a show.

Key Teachings from Matthew 6

1. Give in Secret, Not for Show

Matthew 6:1–4
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them… But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”

Giving is good — but the heart behind it matters most. Jesus warns us not to give for applause or image but for the Father’s eyes alone.

Giving isn’t only financial. A kind word is giving. Volunteering is giving. Even pausing to acknowledge someone who feels overlooked is giving. When we see giving through this wider lens, generosity becomes a daily practice of open hands, not just writing a check.

Takeaway: Generosity isn’t about who sees it — it’s about who receives the glory.

2. Pray to Connect, Not Impress

Matthew 6:5–8
“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.”

Prayer is personal, not performance. Jesus invites us to pray simply and sincerely, aligning our hearts with God’s — not impressing others. He even gives us the Lord’s Prayer as a model: worship God, seek His will, depend on Him daily, ask for forgiveness, and ask for strength.

Want to go deeper? Check out my episode “How to Pray: 5 Biblical Keys for Powerful, Personal Prayer” (linked in the show notes) for a full walk-through.

Takeaway: Prayer isn’t a performance; it’s a conversation.

3. Fast with Joy, Not Gloom

Matthew 6:16–18
“When you fast… put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting.”

Fasting isn’t about proving your holiness. It’s about creating space to depend on God. This can be food, social media, or any habit you set aside to draw nearer to Him. When it’s about Him, it becomes a source of strength, not pride.

Takeaway: Fasting isn’t about looking holy — it’s about hungering for God.

4. Treasure God Above All Else

Matthew 6:19–21
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Jesus invites us to invest in something eternal. Every act of generosity, every moment of obedience, every sacrifice for His kingdom is treasure in heaven.

Heavenly treasure often looks like investing in people over possessions — encouraging others, supporting kingdom work, and building relationships. Possessions wear out. People, made in God’s image, last forever.

Takeaway: If you want your heart closer to God, put your time, talents, and resources into loving Him and serving people.

5. Trust God Instead of Worrying

Matthew 6:25–27
“Look at the birds of the air… Are you not much more valuable than they?”

Worry drains us but doesn’t move us forward. As the saying goes: “Worry is like a rocking chair — it gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere.”

Jesus points to the Father’s care for the birds and flowers as evidence He will care for you too. When we seek first His kingdom, He takes care of the rest.

Takeaway: Worry doesn’t change tomorrow, but trust changes today.

Faith in Action

This week, put Jesus’ words into practice:

Giving: Do one act of giving in secret — encouragement, time, or kindness.
Prayer: Find a quiet space and pray privately using the Lord’s Prayer as your guide.
Fasting: Choose one small thing to fast from this week and focus on God instead.
Treasure: Invest in people over possessions.
Trust: When you feel worry rise up, pray: “Lord, I trust You with this.”

📌 All of these steps are written out in the blog post and linked resources for easy reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does Jesus say to give in secret?
Because true generosity isn’t about public applause; it’s about serving God from the heart. When we give quietly, we trust our Father’s reward instead of people’s approval.

Q: How can I pray the way Jesus teaches?
Start privately, use the Lord’s Prayer as a model, and speak to God simply and sincerely. Prayer is a conversation, not a performance.

Q: Is fasting only about food?
No. Fasting can also mean giving up social media, entertainment, or habits for a time to focus on God. It’s about creating space for Him, not proving spirituality.

Q: What does Jesus mean by storing up treasure in heaven?
He’s inviting us to invest in eternal things — acts of love, generosity, and obedience — rather than possessions that fade or break.

Q: How do I actually trust God instead of worrying?
Remind yourself of His care. Look at how He provides for birds and flowers. When worry rises, pray: “Lord, I trust You with this,” and shift your focus back to His kingdom.

Scripture References

Matthew 6:1–4 — Give in Secret
Matthew 6:5–15 — Pray to Connect
Matthew 6:16–18 — Fast with Joy
Matthew 6:19–24 — Treasure God Above All Else
Matthew 6:25–34 — Trust God Instead of Worrying

Related Episodes

AI Summary

Problem: We often turn spiritual practices into performance.
Biblical Answer: Jesus calls for deep heart transformation — giving, prayer, fasting, treasuring God, and trusting Him instead of worrying.
Next Step: Live out one of these teachings daily — generosity, prayer, fasting, investing in people, or trusting God.
Share With: Anyone seeking a more authentic, peaceful, and powerful walk with God.