I have been writing or editing for Today in the Word for more than 30 years, and God’s Word has transformed my life in countless ways through authoring these studies. For example, back in October 2002 I wrote a devotional about forgiveness. What I learned from that study knocked me for a loop. God’s love and grace were and are so much more than I ever realized!

At the close of His lesson on prayer, Jesus highlights forgiveness. He’d already mentioned it as part of the Lord’s Prayer (v. 12). In today’s verses, He explained more: If you forgive others, God will forgive you (v. 14). If you don’t, He won’t (v. 15). These are two sides of the same coin. This is not about salvation. It’s not saying God’s love is conditional. It’s about our responsibility to forgive as we have been forgiven (Matt. 5:7; Eph. 4:32).

Jesus also taught this principle in the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matt. 18:21–35). This was told to explain the idea of forgiving someone “seventy-seven times.” When the servant who had been forgiven a large debt refused to forgive a fellow servant who owed him only a small amount, the master reconsidered his forgiveness and punished that servant. Jesus concluded: “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Forgiving others is a significant issue. We’ve all wronged God far worse than anyone has ever wronged us. Yet He has completely forgiven us! He has “removed our transgressions from us” as far as the east is from the west, that is, as far as is conceivably possible (Ps. 103:12). Similarly, He has hurled “all our iniquities into the depths of the sea” (Mic. 7:18–19).

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Have you ever fasted? Choosing to go without food is sometimes required for lab tests. Or we might skip a few meals to lose a few pounds. But fasting is a spiritual practice, abstaining from food, or other things, to spend concentrated time in worship and prayer.

In Matthew 6, Jesus’ comments were aimed at the Pharisees and religious leaders who were known to practice spiritual disciplines such as giving and fasting in flashy and pretentious ways. They wanted people to notice how devout they were, to be seen, admired, and praised. In contrast, others practiced such actions “in secret,” looking only for God’s approval.

When they were fasting, these hypocrites would look somber or gloomy (v. 16). In modern terms, “disfigure” means they would not wash their faces and perhaps go around rubbing their stomachs and groaning. They wanted everyone to know they were fasting and to be impressed by their “piety.” That, said Jesus, would be the only reward they would ever receive. Ironically, though they were going without food, their pride was being well-fed.

He taught His followers, on the other hand, that they should fast “in secret,” that is, so that others couldn’t tell (vv. 17–18). They should put oil—spiced or perfumed olive oil—on their heads, the equivalent of showering and putting on deodorant today. By caring for their bodies in a normal manner, no one would notice anything different. Only God would know, and He would reward them.

The Pharisees in Jesus’ day were fasting twice per week. But the Law required only one fast per year, on the Day of Atonement (though more were possible). Jesus assumed His disciples and the church would continue this spiritual practice, as He Himself had (Matt. 4:2; 9:15).

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What do you do out of habit? Maybe you always start the day with a cup of coffee or get in a walk around the block after dinner. Many of our habits are based on what we think is important. Habits can take us in surprising directions, either toward God or toward rival gods, priorities, or values.

In Matthew 6, Jesus asks us what we treasure. In other words, what do we truly love? The answer is revealed by our everyday actions. That’s where our heart truly is, no matter what we say on Sundays (vv. 19–21). Earthly treasures are temporary and vulnerable. By comparison, heavenly treasures are eternal and secure. Which of these would we prefer to be our “reward in full”? The second, of course.

In verses 22–23, there appears to be an abrupt change of topic. After discussing treasure, Jesus turns to a new topic: healthy versus unhealthy eyes. While at first it might seem unrelated, this metaphor is directly related to the treasure metaphor. To be “full of light” indicates that our knowledge and actions are righteous and thus please God. Eyes “full of darkness” indicate knowledge and actions that are sinful and thus dishonor the Lord. Healthy “eyes” discern and follow right teaching. They can see the foolishness of storing up earthly treasures. Unhealthy “eyes” are blind to these truths and thus pursue the wrong goals.

We must choose. Will we seek earthly treasures or heavenly treasures (v. 24)? We cannot serve both; we can have only one “master.” Earthly treasures are represented by money, given that wealth leads to the things that worldly people want most. But we can only love or be devoted to one thing. By definition or by comparison we will hate or despise the other thing. Which will it be? God or money? Heavenly treasures or earthly treasures?

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