We have been studying the sixth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. In our previous reflection, we focused on the subject of almsgiving. Today, we shift our attention to the practice of prayer, and in the following study, we will examine the topic of fasting. These three elements—giving, praying, and fasting—serve as tangible expressions of righteousness. They represent personal acts of devotion and piety, a practical outworking of our inner life with God. In contrast to what Jesus discussed earlier in chapter five—where the focus was on internal righteousness—this section draws attention to external behaviors. But even as He turns to these visible acts, Jesus is deeply concerned about the heart behind them. In other words, external righteousness must flow from internal transformation.
The righteousness described in Matthew 5 was a righteousness of the heart, the kind that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees. It is an inward righteousness that deals not merely with behavior but with motivation and intent. Jesus was not advocating a surface-level moralism, but a deeply rooted integrity of thought, desire, and action. After all, the real battle is not merely in what we do, but in why we do it. The arena of spiritual life is the heart—the inner person. And that is where authentic righteousness must begin.
It is crucial to remember that such righteousness cannot be manufactured through human effort alone. The standard Jesus gives is not achievable by willpower or sheer moral determination. Rather, it is mediated through the Holy Spirit. As believers, we have been united with Christ, and it is through this union that righteousness is imparted and made manifest in our lives. The indwelling Holy Spirit empowers us to live in ways that align with God’s will. As Paul writes in Galatians, love is the fulfillment of the Law, and those who walk by the Spirit will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Living in the Spirit is the key to fulfilling the Law, not by abolishing it, but by fulfilling its true intent—through divine power working within us.
This is the mystery of grace: that God does not simply call us to a high standard and then leave us to our own devices. Rather, He gives us His Spirit to indwell and empower us so that we might walk in obedience. Where once the Spirit was with us, now He is within us. This distinction is crucial. The indwelling Spirit transforms the Law from a burden into a delight and makes possible a kind of living that is not self-centered but God-centered. Thus, the righteousness Jesus speaks of is not a result of legalistic striving but of relational abiding.
With this theological foundation laid, Jesus proceeds to address the outward practices of righteousness—those acts which are visible to others: giving, praying, and fasting. Even in these, He warns of the danger of hypocrisy. It is entirely possible to engage in spiritual disciplines for the wrong reasons. The temptation to perform for others, to seek their approval, or to build our own reputations can corrupt even the most sacred acts. The heart is deceitful and can easily turn worship into theater.
In our previous discussion on giving, we noted that New Testament principles emphasize giving that is both sacrificial and proportional. Many Christians think of the tithe as the standard, but it is helpful to remember that in the Old Testament, the people of Israel actually practiced multiple tithes: two annually and one every three years. The total came to approximately 23.5% of a person’s income. These contributions supported the Levitical priesthood, cared for orphans, widows, and sojourners, and even facilitated communal celebration. One tithe, in particular, was meant for individuals to enjoy in the presence of the Lord—a kind of sacred celebration in Jerusalem.