If Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, or Bill Gates, who alternate between who is the richest man in the world, told you that if you did not eat anything for a while and kept it to yourself that he would reward you, would you take him up on it? I’ve asked a lot of people this question and the response so far is overwhelmingly Yes. After all, who wouldn’t be curious as to how the richest man in he world might reward them? Well, One infinitely wealthier and infinitely more powerful than Musk, Bezos, and Gates combined, has made you an offer. Here’s the contractual language:
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:16-18)
Consider several things.
Types of Fasts
First, although fasting can involve other things, it is typically about not eating any food for a designated period. You can skip certain foods you enjoy (for an amazing example read Dan. 10:2-21–if you have medical issues, this a way to do it) or you can go all-in and do a no-calorie fast (but drink plenty of water).1 Also, you can choose the time you like to fast: you could skip breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and snacks!) and break your fast the next morning at, you guessed it, break-fast. Or you might eat breakfast and then skip lunch and dinner that day and breakfast the next morning and eat again at lunch (that’s my favorite one-day fast). Or something like that. Of course, you could always do a half-day fast or a two- or three-day fast. And so on.
A Key Caveat
Second, Jesus is clear that you should keep your fasting between you and God. In other words, don’t tell others you’re fasting. The Pharisees wanted others to appreciate their piety but God deemed them paid in full. Now, that being said, many years ago Jean E. and I thought we should keep fasting from each other. That turned out to be silly:
“What do you want for breakfast?”
“Oh, nothing.”
“Nothing!? Are you sick?
“No, I’m just not eating.”
“Not eating? You’re not hungry?”
“No, I’m hungry, I’m just not eating.”
“Okay, I’m going to the store in a few minutes, what do you want for lunch?”
You get the point.
Neither of us work for NASA but we still figured out the other of us was fasting. So now we just tell each other. Also, since it affects the other person (“What, we’re not having dinner together?”), it is important to talk it out in advance. But we don’t tell others except on a need to know basis and hardly anyone else, ever, needs to know.
So, don’t tweet it.
One more thing about keeping it a secret: sometimes groups of people fast over particular things (e.g., Acts 13:1-3) so obviously they are going to know they are involved in a group fast. Also, you might have a reason to let others know after you’ve fasted but be careful to do it for the right reasons. After all, how would we know that Jesus had fasted unless at some point He had told His disciples (Matthew 4:2).
If You Can’t Fast, You Probably Wouldn’t Go to Prison for Jesus Either
Third, consider this, if you can’t give up two meals for a day (that’s considered a half-day fast), or three meals (a full day fast), to see how the Creator of the universe will reward you, then neither should you have any confidence that you would stand up for Jesus in the face of financial loss or prison–that would be bad thing since Jesus warned, “whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:33).
Cash In!
Fourth, if we give something up (like food) and don’t tell anyone, the contract’s Author says that He will reward you. Aren’t you curious as to what the Creator of rainbows, the Caribbean, galaxies, and all wisdom and all understanding might give you? Insights gained, doors opened, opportunities knocking, spiritual growth. I urge people seeking direction for their life or ministry to do this.
Now, I’ve had Christians complain that we can’t earn anything from God and that this sounds all too mercenary. They’re wrong. Of course you can’t earn your salvation. You can’t earn getting into God’s good favor. Duh! But that doesn’t preclude God from rewarding your fasting! Christians object that this sounds rather like I was fasting to receive blessings–well of course! I want all the blessings I can get! After all, similar contractual language applies to prayer: pray in secret and your Father will reward you (Matt. 6:5-6)! Although I wouldn’t mention any specifics, I have often sensed that the Lord has rewarded me for fasting. After all, He says He will. I say, let’s cash in on those rewards.
So, if you want to be rewarded by the One who spoke the universe into existence…
What are you waiting for?
Eph. 3:20: He “is able to do more abundantly than all we can ask or think.”
Amen.
- If you drink coffee every day then go ahead and have a cup of coffee. [↩]
