Jesus, Sermon on the Mount:
Beware of practicing good deeds before men to be admired by them, for you will lose your reward from your Father who is in heaven.
When you give to those who are in need, do not blow your own trumpet! This is what hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets. They want attention paid to their giving. The truth is that this is their only reward. But when you give to those who are in need, do it quietly, without thinking about how it looks. Give your gifts in secret and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
When you pray, do not be like hypocrites who love to pray publicly in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. The truth is that this is their only reward. But when you pray, find a quiet room by yourself, close the door and pray. Your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6: 1 – 6
When you fast, do not be obvious and act like you are miserable. This is what hypocrites do, neglecting their appearance so that they will be noticed by people when they are fasting. The truth is that this is their only reward. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face, so that no one will notice that you are fasting. Your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6: 16 – 18
The radical message Jesus gave in the Sermon on the Mount told the faithful how God wants them to act to live rightly. The Pharisees, the priests, the scribes, and the synagogue officers were not demonstrating this right model, so Jesus made it clear! Whether the faithful were giving, praying, or fasting, they were not to puff themselves up and get the attention of people so that they could feel good about it. They were to give, pray, and fast with a humble heart that only wants to connect in secret with God.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t tell anyone that you are fasting. Your family or roommates or close friends will naturally know you are doing something different. But check your inner motivations and make sure that it is all about you and God.
Jesus does mention a reward! We often think of rewards as money, gifts or favors. Of course this is probably not the kind of immediate reward that He means and if reward is your motivation, you might be better off NOT fasting. Attention might be a reward for some, but not the kind of reward God wants His faithful to be seeking.
Eugene Peterson, in his Message Version of the Bible, says it this way:
Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding. When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself. You’ve seen them in action, I’m sure—‘playactors’ I call them—treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that’s all they get. When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out. And when you pray before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for fifteen minutes of fame! Do you think God sits in a box seat? Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace. Matthew 6: 1 – 6 (MSG)
When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don’t make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won’t make you a saint. If you ‘go into training’ inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn’t require attention-getting devices. He won’t overlook what you are doing; He will reward you well. Matthew 6: 16 – 18 (MSG)
The reward that we will receive from giving, praying and fasting in secret is not applause from either people or God. The reward is that we will connect, behind the scenes, with Him who will help us with our concerns. Our focus will be on Him, not ourselves or others. We will sense His grace because He sees what we are doing. He will reward us with His presence and He will listen.
How might you be calling attention to your giving and praying? Ask God how you might make an adjustment in your habits.
If you have been spiritually fasting occasionally or regularly, examine your actions. How might you be calling attention to your fasting? Ask God how you might make an adjustment.
Consider your motivations each time you give, pray or fast. Ask Holy Spirit to inspire and fill your heart with His right desires.
All-seeing Father, You see me. I want to see You better. Help me to give, pray and fast in such a way that I know You better. You are my reward! Amen.
happy hunger 
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