DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
APRIL 4, 2026
READ: Matthew 6 (Focus vs. 1-4, 19-2)
MEMORY VERSE
Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Matthew 6:20
BACKGROUND
My dad was a hard worker on our farm and in the factory, but he wasn’t a handyman. Sometimes when our tractor or furnace or plumbing failed, a neighbor or friend would fix it.
Dad offered to pay even though he knew he couldn’t afford as much as they deserved. But they wouldn’t accept anything; they just loved to help. “Thanks,” he’d say, “until you’re better paid.” I’m still not sure what he meant. Maybe he or someone else did something for them later.
Believers in Jesus who serve others because of their love for Him will one day be rewarded. Perhaps that’s a form of “until you’re better paid.” Jesus told His followers to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20).
Doing good to others may be one way to store up some of those “treasures.” He said we shouldn’t announce it “with trumpets”; if we do, that’s all the reward we’ll get (v. 2). We can be confident He sees us.
The book of Hebrews reinforces this idea: “God . . . will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them” (6:10).
We don’t serve for rewards but rather because Jesus loves us, and in response we express our love and praise for Him. What a blessing it will be to hear God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21, 23).
Anne Cetas
INSIGHT
Helping those in need is one of the ways that we “store up for [ourselves] treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20). We take what God has given us and share with those in need.
The concepts of loving God and helping the needy come together in 1 John 3:14-18: “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. . . . This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
Today, as God helps us, we can look for ways to serve others because of our love for Christ.
Arthur Jackson
APPLICATION
What treasures have you stored up? What gifts has God given you to share with others?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“We don’t serve for rewards but rather because Jesus loves us, and in response we express our love and praise for Him.”
PR’s TAKE
“If you have ever wanted (desired) to serve God, go on and serve Him. Don’t wait to be auhthorized by anybody. He is not copyrighted.”* B. Habyanimana*
“There is a level of fulfilment that comes with serving God with sheer excellence, even when facing the mountains of this world.” Gugu Mona
PRAYER
“Dear Jesus, I long to help others the way You want me to. Please help me point them to You, and lead me to live for Your pleasure.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“I SERVE A RISEN SAVIOR”
I serve a risen Savior
He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy;
I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me,
Along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.
In all the world around me
I see His loving care,
And though my heart grows weary,
I never will despair;
I know that He is leading,
Through all the stormy blast;
The day of His appearing
Will come at last.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!…
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs
To Jesus Christ the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him,
The Help of all who find,
None other is so loving,
So good and kind.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me,
Along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.
