God Smiles
We shouldn't be upset if we don't get recognized for the wonderful work we do.
“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. "So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. - Matt. 6:1-6,16-18
Why do we do what we do?
Is it because we want people to admire and respect us? Or is there something much deeper in play?
When you are in the business of helping people, you share your stories. It's how you get funding and support.
You need people to know what good you are doing in order to keep doing good.
But the little things you do on your own are different. They are not for public knowledge, usually.
They are from the heart and personal.
These are the things Jesus is talking about.
We do these things in private because we care. It is how we show our love to others. And we expect no reward for them. We don't even let people know we did them, not because we are embarrassed, but because they are nothing special.
When we see these things, not as sacrifices, but as little gifts that link us to God, we see them as the least we could do to thank Him for what we have and who we are.
It is as if we are giving God a little wink and a smile. It is our way of saying "Thank You".
There is nothing God needs from us. No physical things make a difference to God.
What God does need, though, is us. We are the boots on the ground, answering the prayers of those in need.
And when we do, God smiles.
More to come...