But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face.
The Pharisees of the Lord ’s Day loved to show off their piety. They showed publicly that they were fasting, or praying, or giving to the poor. As a Christian I am to do these things in secret, just between me and the Lord. The rest of the world should have no idea what I am doing. My happy spirit should be one of the things that characterizes me as a Christian, not the fact that I give to the poor, or pray, or whatever. Man looks for public recognition. Christians should bring glory to the Lord by a meek, humble and quiet spirit.