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  SECRET GIVING AND SECRET PRAYING
  by F.B. Meyer
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Summary: True righteousness comes from the heart and not from external
displays of religiosity.

Topics: "Authenticity in Faith", "Sincerity in Worship"
Scripture References: Matthew 6:1

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DESCRIPTION
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F.B. Meyer emphasizes that true righteousness in religious duties should
not be performed for public display, as highlighted in Matthew 6:1-8. He
warns against the temptation to present a false image of piety, akin to
a stage actor, and stresses the importance of sincerity in almsgiving,
prayer, and fasting. Meyer shares a poignant reflection from a Burman
convert who felt the weight of these teachings, contrasting the noisy
displays of pagan worship with the quiet reverence that true faith
demands. The sermon calls for introspection and authenticity in one's
relationship with God.

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CONTENT
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Matthew 6:1-8

First we have the general proposition that righteousness, that is,
one’s religious duties, should not be done for the sake of display;
and that principle is then applied to alms, prayer, and fasting-the
three departments into which the Jews divided personal religion.

The words take heed in Matthew 6:1 are very searching! We are all likely
to put better goods in the window than we have anywhere on our shelves;
and to show fairer samples than we can supply in bulk. The Greek word
for hypocrite means stage actor. “We are tempted to assume on Sunday a
religious attire which we certainly do not wear in the home or in
business.

In her account of the first Burman convert, Mrs. Judson says: few days
ago, I was reading with him Matthew 6:1-34.

He was deeply impressed and solemn. ‘These words,’ said he, ‘take
hold of my very heart. They make me tremble. When our people visit the
pagodas, they make a great noise with trumpets. But this religion makes
the mind fear God.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/fb-meyer/secret-giving-and-secret-praying/
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