Matthew 6

GIVING TO THE NEEDY

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”

“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 others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

So that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

PRAYER

“And when you pray, do not be like hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

“But 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.

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

FASTING

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

But hone you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,

so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

TREASURES IN HEAVEN

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two master. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

DO NOT WORRY

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life moree than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than the? Can any one of you by worrying dd a single hour to your life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek firs this kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

"Father in Heaven”

By Robb Esperat

Song notes: I love to write scripture songs. They are a fun creative exercise, and they help me hide God’s word in my heart. I happened to see Claudia as she was preparing the gallery for the show based on Matthew 6, and she asked if I had any songs that I could contribute. To my astonishment, I didn’t! The next morning , I wrote this tune.

In a recent sermon, we examined the Lord’s Prayer as an introduction to our Heavenly Father (Matthew 6:9-13). But really, the whole chapter serves as that introduction. We learn, for instance, that he is the one who “sees in secret” (vv 4, 6, 18), that he knows what we need before we ask (v 8). We learn also that since he is our provider (vv 26, 30), we can be released from our anxious worry (vv 25, 28, 31, 34) to rest in him. What a good Father!

You are my father who in secret sees

Before I ask you know of all my needs

And to the secret place you beckon me

You are the father of my daily bread

it’s by your hand that I am clothed and fed

I lay my worry down and trust instead

let your name be hallowed

Your kingdom come

As it is in heaven

Let your will be done

Keep us from temptation

Deliver us

Father in heaven

Let your kingdom come
you are the father who’s forgiven me

I brought my burden and you set me free

The blood of Jesus is my only plea

Treasures

Verse 1

I met a man who said my brother
take my robe for there ain’t no other
Covering for my children
That won’t be eaten, torn, destroyed, will you believe it?

Verse 2

Through work and beauty, I cried accept me!
To wealth and lovers, said won’t you save me!
But oh these treasures, they kept rusting
Oh time and time again, His voice was haunting

Chorus

To not lay up treasures, where moth and rust destroy
Or put em where, thieves break in and steal
To make me your treasure, and find your greatest joy
And find for what all along, you’ve been searching

Verse 3

I used my gifts, for my own satisfaction
How I relied, on fading passions
I looked to these, to save me!
As they were eaten, torn destroyed, I started believin

"Matthew 6:26-32”

Adele Loomans

26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin 29 yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these 30 if that is how God clothes the grass of trees field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or "‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them.

"Consider the Lillies”

By Mike Lane

In Matthew 6 Jesus challenges us to “consider the lilies of the field.” That said, it is a point of some debate as to what kind of flower he was actually referencing as he was teaching in the rolling hills leading down tot he shore of the Sea of Galilee. Some say scarier poppies and others just say, well we’re not sure— just envision a field of beautiful wild flowers and even include some flowering weeds, like the Butterweed on the right.

Brushed Ink and Watercolor

"Matthew 6:25-27”

By Mandy Poe

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your Heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Canall your worries add a single moment to your life?”

This passage has always been a comfort to me, and I picture the tiny birds fitting around my garden, being cared for by my Heavenly Father who knows and sees all. The verses both affirm our great value to Him and remind us to surrender the tendency to strive and over-plan in order to secure what we think we need. Our Heavenly Father knows our deepest needs, the ones we can’t even perceive beneath the surface, and He has met them all in Jesus!

Watercolor, gouache and ink

"Our Secret Place”

By Dennis J Borgerding

Lord I am so hungry

So I come to you for food

You have asked me to fast

While my heart is strong

My body is weak

Yet I know you will feed me

Here in our secret place.

Lord I am in need

So I come to you in prayer.

You have asked me to talk with you.

While my heart wants to meet

My mind is so distracted.

Yet I know you will meet with me

Here in our secret place.

Lord I see so many in need

So I look at how you blessed me.

You have asked me to bless others.

While my heart wants to be compassionate

My fist is holding so tight

Yet I know you will direct my giving

Here in our secret place

Lord I so seek man’s glory

So I come to you in humility.

You have asked me to serve in secret.

While my heart seeks your glory

My person wants man’s praise.

Yet I know you will glorify me

Here in our secret place.

"Matthew 6:26”

By Jeanette Thorpe

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Birdhouse: Styrofoam, fabric, wood, beads, metal plate, cardboard, tissue paper, paint, commercial materials such as bird nest, egg, leaf garland, bird, fabric and fibers, beads, antique glass inkwell, waxed linen thread

"Matthew 6:11/Matthew 626-29"

By Sean Choo

Give us today our daily bread.

Look at the birds of the air…the flowers of the field they do not labor or spin.

"Matthew 6:28-31"

By Claudia Finn

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. IF that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying “What shall we eat” or “what shall we drink?” or “what shall we wear?”

Oil on Canvas

"Matthew 6:13"

By Jeanette Thorpe

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

Found metal objects

"Matthew 6:28-29"

By Tom Schultheis

“See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. IF that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith”

"Matthew 6:25-34"

By Keith McCune

Do not worry

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more Han clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. IF that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the first, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink'?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Calligraphy pen on paper

"Matthew 6:19-21"

By Ivy Vincent

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

“A Lending Hand”

3D on canvas, with plastic

"Dragon Tiger United"

By Bill Larkin

“When the dragon and tiger unite wholeness is achieved. Then peace and prosperity will come naturally.”

"Woodland Pond"

By Jill Valentine

“Shades of fall surround a hidden pond”

"An Autumn Nest"

By Mary Ann Matika

“This Wren thinks it will spend the winter nesting in my wreath. Do I stop using the front door or try to move the nest to safety in the crook of a tree?”

"Pearl Hollow"

By Fail Goodman

“This painting is a “pouring” of watercolor developed around a cow named ‘Pearl’ who lived in a small sheltered valley. The ‘Hollow’ in Southern terms is often called a ‘Holler.’”

"Bustin’ Out All over"

By Mary Curry

“Fall, like Spring can ‘bust out all over.’

Its colors are all easily recognizable.

They bring beautiful memories.”

"Look Who’s Hanging Around"

By Rose Burroughs

“Envision people with the change to Fall”

"Nature’s Environment"

By Cathy Peyton

“Kingfisher looks upwards

Lotus leaf blows its head downward

Autumn at the pond”

"Foxy"

By Karen Bess

“I recently adopted a wire fox terrier puppy. During our time together, I’ve been reading a book with a fox as a character. When my silver birch tree painting needed a “watcher”, I immediately though - why not a fox?”

"Recalling the changing seasons in Maine"

By Ann McCarthy

"Pumpkin Patch"

By Penny Pickle

“I love the fall season. It always brings with it a welcome change from dog days of summer. It also brings my wedding anniversary, annual birthday celebration of my twins, and my own birthday; all of them - joyful days for me. Pumpkins have been a part of my fall celebration for many years. This year, the pumpkin brings to me memories of visiting pumpkin patches with my twins when they were 1, 2, 3, and older, until they were too big to let me take them. Since I began to paint in 2020, I have painted a pumpkin every year to celebrate this time of year.”

"Letting Go"

By Sharon Weinstein

"Chrysanthemums"

By Jill Valentine

“A bee hovers over chrysanthemums, searching hopefully for pollen”

"The Colors of Autumn"

By Jill Valentine

"Tiger, Tiger Lily"

By Gail Goodman

“The tiger is a symbol of bravery and strength. The animal’s importance as a leader in Asian culture is contrasted with the delicate tiger lily which symbolizes wealth and good fortune. Always a perfect way to send an unforgettable message of love. This piece has been an award winner.”

"Ron’s Crab of Many Colors"

By Flo Wolin

“Ron was the ‘love of my life’! He was my 1st husband, father of my only son. We were always ‘in love.’ He bought this ‘Crab of Many Colors’ at a show. He died recently and left it to me”

“Fancy Rooster"

By Betty Oliver

“Rooster

Sociable Female Chicken

Bushy Tailfeathers”

“Autumn Path"

By Rose Burroughs

“Fish from the dock. Enjoy the change of season”

“Sea of Pearls"

By Gail Goodman

“Pearls are a symbol of inner wisdom gained through experience, and these gems are believed to offer protection. They surround the grab that symbolizes rebirth and the power to drive emotion. it is said the crab is able to pinch its enemies and it is impossible to escape its grip.