Matthew Chapter 6: Verses 1-4 (NLT)
“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
In the sermon on the mount Jesus warned the crowd against living out their lives for public approval, even if it was doing a good deed. He said that doing so would be all the reward they would receive and ultimately be of little benefit to them spiritually.
We live so much of our lives in public these days with the advent of social media. Whilst social media has many benefits, we know too that it puts undue pressure on some people to match up to what they see others doing, and yet feel that they can’t. We should do our best to use it for positive means and to encourage others and not to blow our own trumpet! Best to be as discreet as possible in our actions. God’s approval is the only one that is really important after all.
Dear Lord,
Help me to make sure that my motives for any actions are only those that are to please You or to bring You glory. Help me to make sure I build up and encourage those who cross my path, not discourage them. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.