(The following is the January 6 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Matthew 6 and pay close attention to verses 1-4.)
Do you enjoy hearing stories of acts of kindness? Perhaps your local television station reports on community members helping those in need. Maybe you have experienced or heard about people paying for others’ meals behind them in a restaurant drive-thru lane. You may have seen social media videos of people surprising others by paying for their groceries, giving meals and clothing to the homeless, etc. These uplifting stories can encourage others to live generously as well.
However, there is a problem with such stories and videos: they are being told and shown. “Well, what’s wrong with that?” you might ask. Perhaps nothing if the intent is to encourage others to do likewise. There is certainly value there. But what if the story is being told with a “Look at me and how good I am” motive?
Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 reveal a better way to show kindness. His way is both simple and challenging. It is simple in that the principle is straightforward: do good in private, not for show, and your heavenly Father who sees all things will notice and reward you in Heaven[3]. The difficulty comes in that we tend to love recognition. We want to shout our good deeds from the rooftop for all to hear. However, those who do so have their reward, according to Jesus. No heavenly reward is warranted because they performed the act for the accolades of others, and public recognition fulfills that expectation.
Wouldn’t you rather wait and see what rewards your heavenly Father bestows on his children for their secret giving instead of settling for passing praise from people?
Next Step:
Consider several options for performing a private act of kindness, perhaps a tangible gift or donation of time or labor. Choose one and do it. Don’t tell anyone beforehand. Don’t announce it to others or record it on any device. Just do it and go your way, “and your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (v. 4).
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