The Life of Christ

Almsgiving in Bible days took different forms:

• “Alms” was money given above the tithe; the giver could designate its use.

• “Alms of the dish,” was food and money received daily for food distribution.

• “Alms of the chest,” were coins received on the Sabbath for widows, orphans, strangers, and the poor.

Whatever form of alms were given, the gift was to remain anonymous.

• Those with the true gift of giving (Rom. 12:8) often use their creativity to be sure that the recipient never discovers who gave the gift. Mt. 6:6 “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”

There is a two-fold purpose to a prayer closet.

• First, it prevents the person from having others know or see that he is praying.

• More important, however, is that it develops regularity to prayer — same place, same time each day.

Mt. 6:7 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition, as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.”

Repetitions are appropriate as long as they don’t become meaningless; once that occurs the prayer style should change.

• The widow in Lk. 18:1-8 was repetitious in her continual request to the unjust judge; because of her “continual asking,” the answer finally came.

Mt. 6:8-13 “Therefore, do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him. 9 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is 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 do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.’”

The Lord's Prayer was never meant to be recited word-for-word as is often the case. The original intent of the Lord’s Prayer was to establish a workable outline for how we are to pray.

“Our Father in heaven”

• Our prayer is directed to God our Father.

Hallowed be Your name”

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We begin with worship to the Father.

• And if we are going to begin with worship, we then should first actually begin with “thankfulness” (Ps. 100:4: “ Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.”).

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