Three Practices God Rewards: Examining Our Motives in Faith

In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches about three fundamental spiritual practices that God rewards – but not for the reasons we might expect. The focus isn’t on the reward itself, but on the heart and motives behind our actions. This passage reveals how our spiritual disciplines can either bring us closer to God or become exercises in self-promotion.

The Warning Against Wrong Motives

Why Does Jesus Start with a Warning?

Before diving into the three practices, Jesus begins with a crucial warning in Matthew 6:1: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.”

This warning addresses a fundamental human tendency – the desire to be seen and praised by others. We live in what could be called an “Instagram world” where people post about meals, daily activities, and accomplishments. While social media can serve good purposes, we must examine our motives: Are we posting for genuine connection, or for the thrill of likes and approval?

What Happens When We Act for the Wrong Reasons?

When we practice righteousness solely for human recognition, Jesus says we “have no reward” from our heavenly Father. If we’re seeking only the applause of others, that temporary praise becomes our only compensation – and it’s fleeting at best.

Practice #1: Give to the Needy in Secret

What Does Jesus Command About Giving?

Jesus doesn’t say “if you give” but “when you give to the needy” (Matthew 6:2). This isn’t a suggestion – it’s an expectation that believers will make giving to those less fortunate a regular practice.

The question we must ask ourselves is: Do we see the needy as an inconvenience or an opportunity to give? Sometimes our busy schedules prevent us from taking time to help others, but Jesus calls us to prioritize generosity.

What’s the Wrong Way to Give?

Jesus describes hypocrites who “sound no trumpet before you” when giving, seeking to “be praised by others.” While we might not literally blow trumpets, today’s equivalent could be posting videos of ourselves helping the homeless or feeding the hungry. Such actions, done for recognition, receive no spiritual reward.

How Should We Give?

The good practice is giving in secret – “do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matthew 6:3). Modern expressions of this concept include “do it for the cause, not the clout” and “pure-hearted generosity.”

The outcome? “Your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:4).

Practice #2: Pray with Purpose

What Does Jesus Teach About Prayer?

Again, Jesus uses “when you pray” – not if, but when. Prayer should be a regular rhythm in our lives, not an occasional activity.

What Are the Wrong Ways to Pray?

Jesus identifies two bad examples:

The Hypocrites: Religious leaders who “love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners that they may be seen by others” (Matthew 6:5). Their motive is recognition, not communion with God.

The Gentiles: Those who “heap up empty phrases” thinking “they will be heard for their many words” (Matthew 6:7). They focus on quantity over quality, using prayer as a performance rather than genuine communication.

How Should We Pray?

Jesus provides two good practices:

Pray in Secret: “Go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret” (Matthew 6:6).

Use the Lord’s Prayer as a Model: This prayer contains six petitions – three about God and three about human needs:

About God:

• His character: “Hallowed be your name”
• His reign: “Your kingdom come”
• His will: “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”

About Human Needs:

• Physical needs: “Give us this day our daily bread”
• Interpersonal needs: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors”
• Spiritual needs: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”

Practice #3: Fast with Joy

What Is Biblical Fasting?

Fasting is often misunderstood, but biblical fasting is “a voluntary absence from food and sometimes drink for a specific period to humble oneself and seek God’s guidance.” It’s mentioned over 70 times in Scripture and is a spiritual discipline, not a diet. The purpose is to sharpen our focus on God during times of grief, crisis, or preparation.

What’s the Wrong Way to Fast?

Jesus describes “gloomy hypocrites” who “disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others” (Matthew 6:16). They want people to notice and sympathize with their sacrifice. Whether seeking praise for good deeds or sympathy for our pain, both approaches wrongly focus attention on ourselves rather than God.

How Should We Fast?

The good practice is to fast in private: “anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret” (Matthew 6:17-18). Even in self-denial, we should maintain our normal appearance. The purpose is to deny self and focus on the Lord.

The Common Pattern

What Do All Three Practices Share?

Each practice follows the same structure:

• A command (when you give/pray/fast)
• A bad example (hypocrites seeking recognition)
• A good practice (done in secret)
• An outcome (God will reward you)

All three are to be done in secret, with pure motives, for God’s glory alone. The rewards are eternal treasures that never fade, as Jesus continues to explain in the following verses about laying up treasures in heaven.

Life Application

These three practices challenge us to examine our hearts and motives in spiritual disciplines. The goal isn’t to earn God’s favor through good works, but to align our hearts with His purposes and receive the eternal rewards He promises.

Consider these questions as you reflect on this teaching:

Which of these three practices have you already integrated into your life? Many of us struggle with consistency in prayer, giving, or fasting. Choose one area to focus on developing this week.

Which practice is the biggest struggle for you to do in secret? This question gets to the heart of our motives. We might give, pray, and fast, but which one do we find hardest to do with pure intentions, without seeking recognition?

What is one act of generosity you can do secretly this week? Think of someone whose need you could meet without them knowing it was you. It doesn’t have to cost money – it might just require time, energy, or effort to serve someone in a way that brings glory to God alone.

The beauty of these practices lies not in their difficulty, but in their simplicity. They’re accessible to every believer and provide concrete ways to grow in our relationship with God while serving others. When our motives are pure and our focus is on God’s glory rather than human recognition, these simple acts become powerful expressions of faith that God promises to reward.