Serve One Another In Secret

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.”

(Matthew 6.1)

I’ll admit it, I like a pat on the back every once in a while. I think everyone does. It’s all right with God when I graciously receive recognition for my works if they come to light. However, it’s not all right to make sure someone sees or knows about my good deeds, so I’ll get that acknowledgement. If I do something good only for the reward, then it’s the reward that’s my god. If I do something good to make people think I’m more righteous than I really am, then I’m just a fake.

I have attended churches where the pews have the names of the people who paid for them, prominently displayed. One church had stained glass windows with plaques that had the names of whoever donated the money for the windows. Still, another had entire wings of the church dedicated to the benefactors who were responsible for paying for the construction. Those little name plates are all the reward those people will receive. They may think that their generosity will be rewarded by God when they get to heaven, but they are mistaken.

It’s not just good deeds that I’m talking about. If I pray in front of people with the hope of proving to them how righteous I am, I’m nothing but a phony. The only one I need to prove my righteousness to is Jesus. I do that by quietly serving him in any way I can without seeking the accolades of my fellow servants. In secular life, working for a paycheck is normal but I cannot translate that kind of reward system into my Christian works. God’s rewards are infinitely greater in value and will last for all eternity.

If you reject Jesus because you have experienced a “phony” Christian, you’re blaming the wrong person. There is no such thing as a super-Christian who never sins. We’re all human and fail Jesus from time to time. He didn’t come to this world to get a few pats on the back. When he first started his ministry, he performed his miracles in secret. He was giving us the example of how he wants us to behave. He wants us to show his love for others through our good deeds. He doesn’t want us to try to show how righteous we are.

Father God, you are righteous and holy. We owe you all our praise. Prepare our hearts, Lord, to help our neighbors without hoping someone will notice. You are the only one we should hope to please when we do a good deed. In fact, you don’t consider it a good deed at all if we expect some kind of reward. You are not impressed with a boastful or proud spirit. You turn your face from us if we feel resentful when we aren’t noticed for how good we think we are. Remind us that any reward we receive from our peers here on earth, will replace any reward we might hope for in eternity. Father temper our desire to seek out accolades for a righteous act we perform. If some kind of acknowledgment comes our way, help us to graciously accept, but give the all the glory to you. Father, we ask you to keep our hearts free of conceit and self-importance. We want to always please you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!