The attitude toward giving to the needy

Matthew 6:1-15 (NIV)

Giving to the Needy

¹"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

²"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. ³But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Prayer

⁵"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. ⁶But 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. ⁷And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

⁹"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹Give us today our daily bread.
¹²Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.^[a]' ¹⁴For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

01你們要小心，不可在別人面前炫耀自己的虔誠，故意讓別人看見。這樣做 的話，你們
就不能從天父獲得獎賞。02所以，你施捨的時候，不可大吹大擂，像那些偽善的人在會堂或街道上所做的，為要得到別人的誇獎。我告訴你 們，他們這樣做已經得了所能得到的報償。03你施捨的時候，別讓左手知道右手所做的，04這應該是一件隱密的事。這樣，那 位看得見你在隱密中做事的天父一定會獎賞你。
05你們禱告的時候，不可像偽善的人，喜歡在會堂裏或十字路口站著禱告，故意讓別人
看見。我告訴你們，他們這樣做已經得了所能得到的報償。06你禱告的時候，要進你的內室，關上門，向在隱密中的天父禱告。那 位看得見你在隱密中做事的天父一定會獎賞你。
07你們禱告的時候，不可像異教徒那樣，重複沒有意義的話。他們以為只要長篇大論，
上帝就會垂聽。08不可像他們那樣。在你們祈求以前，你們的天父已經知道你們所需要的。09因此，你們要這樣禱告：我們在天上的父 親，願人都尊崇你的聖名；10願你在世上掌權，願你的旨意實現在地上，如同實現在天上。11賜給我們今天所需的飲食。12饒恕我們對 你的虧負，正如我們饒恕了虧負我們的人。13不要讓我們遭受承擔不起的考驗；要救我們脫離那邪惡者的手。14你們若饒恕別 人的過錯，你們的天父也會饒恕你們；15你們若不饒恕別人的過錯，你們的天父也不會饒恕你們的錯。

一、中心內容：

內容：
1>論施捨 Giving to the needy
施捨時，錯誤的態度。（v1-2）Wrong attitudes toward giving (v1-2)
施捨時，正確的態度。（v3-4）Right attitudes toward giving (v3-4)
2>論禱告 Prayer
禱告時，錯誤的態度。（v5、v7-8）Wrong attitudes toward prayer (v5, 7-8)
禱告時，正確的態度。（v6）Right attitudes toward prayer (v6)
3>禱告的內容。（v9-12）The contents of prayers. (v9-12)
4>當彼此饒恕。（v13-15）Forgiving each other (v13-15)

主題：
1>施捨的態度。The attitude toward giving to the needy
2>禱告的態度與內容。The content of prayer and the attitude toward it

二、上帝、耶穌基督、聖靈是誰？

01>獎賞我們的天父上帝。（v1）God rewards us. (v1)
02>看得見隱密之事的上帝。（v6）God can see everything in the dark. (v6)
03>垂聽禱告的上帝。（v7）God listens to prayers. (v7)
04>全知的上帝。（v8）God is omniscient. (v9)
05>我們在天上的父上帝。（v9）God is in heaven. (v9)
06>聖名配得尊崇的上帝。（v9）God’s name is worthy of glory. (v9)
07>在世上掌權的上帝。（v10）God governs the world. (v10)
08>供應我們物質所需的上帝。（v11）God provides everything we need. (v11)
09>饒恕我們虧負的上帝。（v12、v14-15）God forgives our sins. (v12, 14-15)
10>保守我們免於災難的上帝。（v13）God protects us against disasters. (V13)
11>拯救我們脫離兇惡的上帝。（v13）God saves us from evil. (v13)

三、給我的教訓（命令、應允、榜樣、責備、警告）是什麼？

1>不為利己的善行 Unselfish good deeds
自 古以來，多少人在善行的背後，都帶有自私的目的。例如：有人為了爭名，有人為了得利，有人為了政治資源的累積。當今台灣最為典 型，而且家喻戶曉的例子就是 慈濟功德會，他們行善非常主要的目的，就是為了替自己累積功德。另外，某些民間社團，或工商業界，捐個幾十萬的善款，就非得要上報、 上電視，背後動機，另 有他圖。

Since ancient times, there were selfish purposes behind every good deed. Some were for fame, some for personal profits and some for political gain. In Taiwan, Ci Ji Charity is a typical example. The purpose behind their good deeds is to accumulate religious merits. Social clubs and business organizations donate tens of thousands of dollars with hidden motives: they want to be seen through media such as the newspaper and TV.
然而，我們卻發現主耶穌的教導，跟這樣的觀念，全然背道而馳。因為祂吩咐門徒不可在別人面前炫耀自己的虔誠，不可故意讓別人看見自己 的善行。因此，捨的時候，不可大吹大擂，像那些偽善的人，在會堂或街道上所做的，為要得到別人的誇獎。
所以，當施捨的時候，正確的態度是：別讓左手知道右手所做的，因為施捨應該是一件隱密的事。如果這樣的話，那位看得見你在隱密中做事 的天父，一定會獎賞 你。根據主耶穌的教導，我們可以得知，基督徒的善行，不為名，也不為利，只為了愛，就是因為上帝愛我，所以我要愛人。

We find that Jesus’ teaching is quite the contrary. He taught His disciples to not make their piety and their good deeds a public show, nor to make giving to the poor a show like the hypocrites did on the streets or in the synagogue. Their purpose was to receive compliments from people. The right attitude concerning giving to the poor is to not let the left hand know anything that the right hand does. Giving to the poor is considered a secret deed. The Father in heaven will see what you have done in the secret and He will reward you. As we learn from Jesus’ teaching, Christians do good deeds neither for fame nor for profits but for the sake of love, because God loves us.
反省：我是否經常行善事？如果是的話，當我行善事的時候，帶著什麼樣的動機？是否為了博得好名聲？是否為了累積知名度？是否期待將來 能回報？
Reflection: Do I always do good? If yes, what is my motive? Is it for good reputation or fame? Do I expect something in return from others?
2>針對禱告的提醒 Reminder for prayer
針對祂的門徒所做的每一件事，主耶穌非常看重動機問題，為了檢視動機是否純正，主耶穌以「施捨、祈禱、禁食」這三個例子來作教導。主 耶穌所教導的原則是：這些行動都不應該以自己為中心，應該以上帝為中心；不該為了誇耀自己，應該為了榮耀上帝。

Jesus emphasized on motives when it came to everything His disciples did. He used three examples of giving to the poor, of prayer and of fasting to teach them the principles to verify their motives. It should not be self-centered but God-centered, not for personal-glorification but for God-glorification.
基於此，針對祈禱一事，主耶穌針對兩種情況來作提醒：
a.引人注目：藉著公開場合，裝著虔誠態度，刻意引人注目，以期博得敬虔的好名聲。
b.重複禱詞：由於過度重視外在，不斷重複華麗詞藻，導致失去真誠內心。
以上兩種情況，都是不適當的。因為這樣會失去祈禱時，跟上帝溝通的真正意義。

Jesus pinpointed two issues concerning prayer:

1. Drawing attention: Performing piety in public in order to draw attention and to receive compliments from people.
2. Repetition of prayer: Caring too much about the outward performance, forgetting the importance of inward piety, thus repeating their rhetoric words.

It is not appropriate to pray with such attitudes, because it defeats the purpose to pray and misses out on the true meaning of communication with God.

反省：我的禱告生活如何？我禱告的態度如何？尤其當我帶領公眾禱告時，我 的動機又是如何？是否非常在乎「人的感覺」，甚至十分在意「人的評價」？在乎的程度，甚至超過在乎「跟上帝溝通」的實質？
Reflection: How is my prayer life? What is my attitude toward it, in particular, when I lead the prayer in public? Do I care much about people’s feelings and their comments? Does it surpass the essence of communicating with God?
3>主禱文內容主題 The themes of the Lord’s Prayer
當主耶穌教導門徒有關禱告的方式與態度之後，緊接著教導他們禱告的內容，此內容我們通常都稱之為主禱文。主耶穌說：因此，你們要這樣 禱告：
我們在天上的父親，願人都尊崇你的聖名；願你在世上掌權，願你的旨意實現在地上，如同實現在天上。賜給我們今天所需的飲食。饒恕我們 對你的虧負，正如我們饒恕了虧負我們的人。不要讓我們遭受承擔不起的考驗；要救我們脫離那邪惡者的手。
根據這篇祈禱文，我們發現祈禱時，可以有各種不同的主題：
a.敬拜：我們在天上的父親，願人都尊崇你的聖名。（敬拜天父上帝）
b.忠心：願你在世上掌權。（忠於上帝的主權）
c.順服：願你的旨意實現在地上，如同實現在天上。（順服上帝的旨意）
d.祈求：賜給我們今天所需的飲食。（祈求祂的供應）
e.認罪：饒恕我們對你的虧負，正如我們饒恕了虧負我們的人。（認罪和赦罪）
f.拯救：不要讓我們遭受承擔不起的考驗；要救我們脫離那邪惡者的手。（儆醒和拯救）

After Jesus taught them about the means and attitudes toward prayer, He taught them how to pray. It is what we are familiar with--- “the Lord’s Prayer.” ⁹" 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, ¹⁰your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹Give us today our daily bread. ¹²Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ¹³And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (v9-13)

It consists of the following themes:

1. Worship: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. (worshipping heavenly Father)
2. Loyalty: Y our kingdom come ( being loyal toward God’s authority)
3. Submission: Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (submitting to God’s will )
4. Request: Give us today our daily bread. (asking for God’s provision)
5. Confession: Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (confession and forgiveness of sins)
6. Deliverance: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (being alert to temptation and asking for deliverance from it)

反省：當我祈禱時，通常都涵蓋哪些主題？是否開口、閉口都只懂得祈求，卻 忽略了還要有敬拜、認罪、順服、拯救-----等主題？
Refection: What themes do my prayers cover? Do I request all the time and forget all the other themes?

4>主禱文內容意義 The meanings of the Lord’s Prayer
當 主耶穌教導他們有關祈禱的方式與態度之後，緊接著教導他們祈禱的內容，此內容我們通常都稱之為主禱文。主耶穌說：因此，你們要這 樣禱告：我們在天上的父 親，願人都尊崇你的聖名；願你在世上掌權，願你的旨意實現在地上，如同實現在天上。賜給我們今天所需的飲食。饒恕我們對你的虧負，正 如我們饒恕了虧負我們 的人。不要讓我們遭受承擔不起的考驗；要救我們脫離那邪惡者的手。

從這當中，我們發現主禱文的內容與意義如下：

a.關心上帝的國度：
禱告蒙喜悅、蒙垂聽的秘訣，就是照著上帝的心意來禱告。換句話說，就是以上帝的國度為念、以上帝旨意為依歸的禱告。諸如：願你的國 度、願你的聖名、願你的旨意。顯示：這禱告是以上帝國度為依歸。

b.父子親密的關係：祈禱文不是形式化、公式化的事工報告，而是在親密關 係之中的溝通，也就是在父子關係中，在靈裏一種生命交流的方式。

c. 基督裏的共同體:

禱告有兩種，一種是個人的禱告，另一種是共同體的禱告。因為祈禱文中， 都是 以「我們」來自稱，所以是一種共同體的禱告。

d. 維護和諧的關係：
祈禱文非常關心關係的和諧，包括：與上帝的關係，以及與人的關係。因此，祈求上帝饒恕我們對祂的虧負，正如我們饒恕了虧負我們的人。

The meanings of the Lord’s Prayer are as follows:

1. Concerns forGod’s kingdom:

To have our prayer answered is to pray according to God’s will. It is to have God’s kingdom in mind. It is a prayer centered on God’s kingdom. Such as “May Your kingdom come. Hollowed be Your name. May Your will be done as it is in heaven.”

2. An intimate father-son relationship:

A prayer is not a formulated report. It is a fellowship and communication of life through an intimate father-son relationship.

3. As one in Christ Jesus:

There are two types of prayer. One is private and personal, the other is public prayer. The Lord’s Prayer uses “our” to start the prayer and it includes everyone participating.

4. To keep harmonious relationships with others:

It emphasizes on harmonious relationships which includes relationships with God and with others. Therefore, we ask God to forgive our debts as we forgive others’.

反省：當我用祈禱文禱告的時候，心裏都想些什麼？是否關心上帝國 度的事？是否享受父子親密關係？是否感受基督裏的共同體？是否維護與上帝、與人的和諧關係？或視同求告有應公？或如同口唸咒語？
Reflection: What is on my mind when I pray the Lord’s Prayer? Do I care about the matters concerning God’s kingdom; do I enjoy the father-son relationship; do I sense the oneness with Him; do I keep harmonious relationships with God and with others; do I see God as a Genie; do I pray like casting a spell?
四、我的禱告 / 實際應用