Matthew 6:1-7—”Do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them.”
Today in the secular world, one is often reminded “sell yourself to get ahead”, “you are the brand”, “market your brand”. At colleges and schools, children are taught that no matter the amount of knowledge unless we ‘show’ it noone will know. Insecure people keep track of their neighbour’s possessions and try to outdo them. Where does all this showing end?
On the contrary, the Bible tells us to live our lives with honesty, integrity, and generosity. While doing this, we must submit our work to God and do it in our best possible way. There was an incident when composer Johann Sebastian Bach was scheduled to debut a new composition on a winter’s night. When he arrived at the church, there was not one soul as the audience. Nevertheless, he continued with his plan to fill the empty church with magnificent music.
Would we continue to do what we do in the best possible way without someone to report in, or to answer to? Would we work with the same quality if noone was watching? Would we work for the same result when we had no audience, or if God was our only audience? If our answer was ‘yes’ to the above questions, we can say that we are on the right track. We do not need to wait for a pat on our back, an incentive bonus, or an award to help motivate us. What we do when noone is watching is what God sees and rewards. God’s rewards are not perishable awards, plaques or money. It is in eternity for eternity.
Choose your lifestyle today – do for men or do for God?
