First, the reward of the hypocrite is small. Matthew 6:16 - ""And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward." He could have the praise and honor of serving God, but he makes a show for people. He doesn’t enjoy God’s blessings; he only gets what Satan can give, the excitement of the flesh, and the allure of “other things.” He doesn’t have the true riches of the kingdom, and he forfeits the Fountain of Living Water for the sewer! Jeremiah 17:13 - "O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you shall be put to shame; those who turn away from you shall be written in the earth, for they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living water."

Let us not sink so low. Do nothing religious to be seen by men. Do everything for the praise of God, and he will honor you for Christ’s sake. Matthew 6:18 - "that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." He will lift us up and give the joy of his Spirit, because he’s a rewarding God. Let’s believe him, rather than being practical atheists, pretending he doesn’t exist by our deeds. He does see us, and he gives great sweetness to those who look for his reward only, who serve Christ in the privacy of our hearts, even if we’re standing before people.

True fasting is communion with God through Christ; it is not done to please the pastor, the church, or the calendar; it is the soul crying out in need, forsaking food and other things, so we can concentrate ourselves on mercy and God’s blessing that we desire.

Fast, but do it in secret. Devote yourself to God, not human praise.

Secondly, where our treasure is, so is our heart. Matthew 6:21 - "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." If our treasure is on earth, then we are carnal, and we live for the world. We miss the invisible things of the kingdom, the true riches that are given by God.

The blessings of the kingdom are spiritual, and they are all in Christ, who is at God’s right hand. Colossians 3:1-2 - "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Everything that we truly desire is found in him - peace, joy, satisfaction, and the forgiveness of sins… communion with God, patience in trials, and love for people is here… so is hope, contentment, and thankfulness! These come to us through Christ.

Set your mind here, and you can enjoy whatever God gives you. If riches increase, don’t set your heart on them [Ps 62:10]. Keep it on Christ and the kingdom, and you’ll use your wealth wisely, and you won’t lose Christ in the process. Don’t set it on your family: Love them because your heart is fixed on Christ, and you’ll love them truly, rather than idolatrously, and you’ll do them the maximum good, because Jesus will flow out of you to his glory. Live your life for Christ; it doesn’t matter where your body is as much as your heart.

Thirdly, we cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:24 - ""No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." This is impossible.

So many are caught up in the world, so they can’t see the kingdom! They “use God” to get riches, holding him as a good luck charm for wealth. They only pray and serve, so that the things of this world - riches, fame, easy life, human comfort, and earthly advantages - can be theirs. They do not care for the salvation of souls, and they know nothing of God’s glory. They are devils in human flesh, disguising their religion with praise, but their heart is set on the world, like the vilest transexual who molests children. They are evil to the core, because they love money.

Friends, let us learn. God is not mocked. We can have gold, but we can’t love it and have Christ; we must have one or the other inside our hearts, and Christ will never share his place.