MATTHEW 6:1-6
A man once attended a memorial service. The tribute to the deceased included video and audio clips, photos, instrumentalists, and speakers. It was wonderful! After everyone had left the church, he stopped to thank the technicians whose flawless work at the control room had contributed so much to the to tributes. “No one noticed what you did,” he told them. “That is the way we like it,” they replied.
In Matthew 6, Jesus told His disciples to do what they do in order to please God, not to gain praise from people.
Something within us makes us want to be seen and recognized for our deeds. While there is nothing wrong with encouragement and appreciation, a desire for praise can undermine our service because it shifts the focus from others to ourselves. When there is no public “thank you,” we may feel slighted. But even when we serve God in secret, He sees it all.
It is better to earn recognition without getting it than to get recognition without earning it.
* May the Lord help us to keep doing good, even when men do not notice or praise our deeds in Jesus’ name. Amen.
