In Matthew 6, we are in the heart of the sermon on the mount. Jesus teaches about giving to the needy, prayer, and fasting all back-to-back. One of the intriguing aspects of these teachings is that Jesus spends much of his time talking about our motives behind these actions as much, or more, than he teaches on the actions themselves. Each time, he instructs his disciples to do these things in private or secret. To not let others know. He even tells us that if we do it to be seen by the world that is all the reward we will receive, but if you do it in secret, out of devotion to God, he will reward you for what you do. This is all about your heart and motivation. Why are you doing these things? It is not that God just needs these things to be done. God wants them done out of our love for him. If you do these things with a sincere heart for God alone, you will receive a reward from God.
Immediately after these teachings that instruct us to pursue reward from God instead of from people, we have a teaching about laying up for ourselves treasure in heaven instead of on earth. I think the imagery and teaching is very clear. When we serve God and others out of our devotion to God, we lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven. We are rewarded accordingly.
The question to ask yourself is, am I laying up for myself treasure in heaven? Am I serving God out of my devotion to him when nobody is looking? If not, you have the opportunity to turn things around. Heed the teachings of Christ and start pursuing your eternal reward.
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