Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:  That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. (Matthew 6: 1-8)

True alms can only be done by regenerated people. Philippians who knew only about the values of Greek and Roman worlds were spared their hearts and materials for helping poor Jews. The change of the Philippians can only be explained by this. In Philippians 4: 15-19『Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.  For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 』

Christians must handle wealth with a spirit of stewardship and expect spiritual rewards. The money used for the flesh is valuable for the life of the present, but it does not produce permanent fruit for eternal life. In 2 Corinthians 8: 9-11『For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.  And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. 』

Prayer must be offered to God, and we must remember that God is preparing to hear our prayers before we pray. Remember this and look at whether you really pray to God or, if not, to pray to others. Prayer is fellowship with God. The only way sinful humans reach God, is based on the death of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The saint is united with the death of Christ, so in Christ he can be cleansed before God, so that he can come to God in that way. In other words, prayer is for the saints only. Prayer is given in the Holy Spirit as in Ephesians 2:18. When the saint prays to God, the Holy Spirit leads the saint to God, directs the saint, and makes him feel God. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit leads the Saints to God.

God is always ready to hear the prayers of the saints before they pray. Thus, believers who pray in God's will can pray with confidence. In order for the saint to receive what the saint requires from God, he must know about God's will and God's ways. This can only be learned through the Bible. In 1 John 3:22『And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 』 God has clearly defined who can receive answers to prayer. God receives the prayers of those who are in Christ. The Saints can pray to God in Christ.