SECRETLY SERVING
Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly (Matthew 6:2-4 New King James Version).
Over the years, I have heard a lot of Christians tooting their own horns. I have heard folks answering the call to be honored by doing kind deeds and then reporting the kind deeds they did. Maybe it’s just me, but I get a bad taste in my mouth when I hear others constantly talking about all the good deeds they do and not giving glory to the Lord for the ability to do those good deeds.
Church, as representatives of Christ, it does us no benefit to allow ourselves to be honored for serving Christ without giving Him the proper honor. We should not be the ones telling others of all the things we do, it can sound arrogant and boastful, unless we are prompted by the Holy Spirit to do so. Proverbs 27:2 says “Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” While it’s not bad to answer a question regarding what we do, we have to be careful we don’t elaborate and make it seem as though we are seeking accolades for our performance. It is always better when someone else mentions the things we do for others. If we are only going to do something for someone else for recognition or honor, then we shouldn’t do it at all. The world seeks its own gain, we should not.
By keeping things quiet, we give God the chance to speak loudly on our behalf. It is always better when He speaks for us and rewards us for serving Him. Seeking our own gain and recognition is never as rewarding as the gifts God will bestow upon us when we put secretly serving in its proper perspective.
Let’s Pray: Dear Sweet Heavenly Father, thank You for this gift of a new day! Today we desire to glorify You and give You all the honor that You deserve. Help us to examine our motives as we go about our days; grant us humility in our service to You as we serve others. May we joyfully serve others in secret and not seek to make ourselves known. Father, we can do nothing without You, may we tap into Your power today as we serve. We give You all glory, all honor, all praise and we offer ourselves to You in worship. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.
Today’s Attitude of Worship: Let’s set aside time today for personal reflection of our charitable deeds. Do we do them to be recognized? Is our self-worth tied to how we serve? When someone asks what we do, do we answer simply with humility; or do we go into detail regarding every person we have helped, making ourselves seem so much larger than we are? Church, this is a humbling time for us and one in which we have to fully apply God’s Word to our lives. God is looking for secret servants!
Additional Scriptures: Proverbs 16:18; Proverbs 29:23; Jeremiah 49:16; Romans 12:16
Shalom,
Prudence
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