(a) What does Jesus teach in the sermon on the mount about? (i) Almsgiving (ii) Prayer (iii) Fasting. (b) How has the Christian Church in Nigeria adhered to...

Answer Details

(a) Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount on almsgiving, prayer and fasting

Jesus warned against practising acts of piety before men in order to be seen and praised, for that forfeits any reward from the Father in heaven. He applied this principle to three religious duties:

(i) Almsgiving: "When you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and streets, that they may be praised by men." They have received their reward. Rather, "do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

(ii) Prayer: "When you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and street corners to be seen by men." Instead, "go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret." He warned against heaping up empty phrases like the Gentiles who think they are heard for their many words, for the Father knows their needs before they ask. He then gave the model prayer, the Lord's Prayer ("Our Father who art in heaven..."), and taught that if they forgive others, the Father will also forgive them.

(iii) Fasting: "When you fast, do not look dismal like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men." They have their reward. Rather, "when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

The common theme is sincerity and secrecy: religious duties must be done to please God, not to win human praise.

(b) How the Christian Church in Nigeria has adhered to these teachings

• Almsgiving: Churches run charities, orphanages, relief schemes and welfare funds, and encourage members to give to the poor quietly through offerings and support of widows.
• Prayer: Churches hold regular services, prayer meetings, vigils and private devotions, and the Lord's Prayer is widely used in worship.
• Fasting: Many denominations observe periods of fasting and prayer, such as Lent and special church fasts, teaching members to fast for spiritual growth rather than display.

However, some believers still fall short by giving, praying and fasting for public recognition, which the teaching condemns.