Matthew 6:1–4 (NLT) — 1 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Matthew 6:5–8 (NLT) — 5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!

Matthew 6:16–18 (NLT) — 16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

1. The essentials of private devotion

1. The “threefold cord” of impact:
   1. Our giving combats the lust of the flesh.
   2. Our prayer combats the lust of the eyes.
   3. Our fasting combats the pride of life.

2. The reasons for private devotion

1. Your Father sees everything.
2. Your Father knows exactly what you need.
3. Your Father knows what you do in secret.

3. The motives of private devotion

1. For others
   1. Our world is full of people trying to grow influence. At the root of this tree is the word AMBITION. 
   2. The tree of pleasing God performs for an audience of ONE. 
2. For self
   1. “Don’t let your right hand know what your left is doing.”
   2. There must be an internal disconnection. 
   3. Self-satisfaction and self-importance
3. For God

4. The statements of private devotion

1. It’s a statement of faith.
2. It’s a statement of humility. 
3. It’s a statement of authenticity.

5. The reward of private devotion

1. The reward for private prayer is answered prayer.
2. The reward for private giving is eternal reward, supernatural abundance, and provision.
3. The reward for private fasting is the distance from the world, closeness with God, and clarity of direction.