Try Not To: Be Recognized

““Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:1-4 NIV).

Jesus calls us to be a giving people. Not so other people will see us and think we are so great, but because we are so full of Jesus and His love that we WANT to give.

Why should I do good?

When we do good SO THAT we will be noticed, we lose our reward. “Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Our obedience should not highlight ourselves, it should glorify God! We should do good knowing God is omnipresent and knowing that He knows our hearts and our true intentions. We don’t do good out of fear, we do good out of humility and love.

What do I have?

Jesus asks that we give out time and resources humbly. God has given all of us unique gifts and talents that we use and give to others. It is ok to give in public, it is ok to use your gifts and talents in public. The most important thing as that when we do, it is not for attention. It is to humbly glorify God and to glorify Him alone! Try not to be recognized, instead glorify God!

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