Pillars of Lent

Matthew 6  When you do good deeds, don’t try to show off. If you do, you won’t get a reward from your Father in heaven.

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

³ When you give to the poor, don’t let anyone know about it. ⁴ Then your gift will be given in secret. Your Father knows what is done in secret and will reward you.

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

⁶ When 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 will reward you.

¹⁶ When you go without eating, 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. ¹⁷  Instead, comb your hair and wash your face. ¹⁸ Then others won’t know you are going without eating. But your Father sees what is done in private, and he will reward you.

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