Good works - never tell anyone about it

[Sharky]

I'm sure many of us have done that. We do amazing works for others and we like to tell people about it. Have you ever done that?

Have you ever made someone feel better and told people about how you did it?
Have you ever gone out on the streets, got some food for the hungry and let people see how christian you are?

Well, to tell you the truth, the praise and that warm fuzzy feeling you get for doing that in front of people just means that you've got your reward in full already. Why is this? Sounds a little unchristian hey? Hehe

Good works is motivated by faith. 'Faith without works' is dead as you've all heard.

When you do your good works in secret, God see's that in secret and He rewards it. But if you show it to people of your good works, then you get no reward from God.

I mean, sure, people say 'hey, he's a cool christian because he did that.' Voila! That's your reward, 1 sentence and a few seconds worth of 'fuzzyness'. That's a great reward hey?

No no. We are rewarded for good deeds in secret. If you give to charity, be annanomous. If you tithe, (not sure if that's classified as a good work) give without anyone knowing the amount. When you make someone feel better, do it when people aren't watching. If you're praying, go to the most private place to pray (huza for those who don't like praying with people ).

Because doing this, God will honor that good work that you ahve done without getting praise from people but from God.

Matthew 6:1
"Take care not to do your good deeds publicaly or before men, in order to be seen by them; otherwise you will have no reward [reserved for and awaiting you] with and from your Father Who is in heaven."

 

[HoT-MetaL]

Hebrews 6 refers to 'our works being like filthy rags.' This is a reference to the equivalent of tampons back then.

If we do things out of the correct motive, then God will reward us for that... If we dont then we may as well not do it.

A classic example is posting on the forums to get reps.

God Bless, metal.

 

[Sharky]

btw i was aware of that irony .

 

[PatientFaith]

It's good to see someone addressing this issue. You might also wish to add to your list ... fasting.

 

[C.A.B.L]

What about the verse that says "Where two or 3 gather together in my name, there will I be in the midst of them" I agree that it's good to pray in private, but what about praying with 2 or 3 others?

 

[Sharky]

Don't take it out of context.

It's talking about doing it in public, not with 2 or 3 people in private. If you pray together in a church that's fine, so long as you don't do it to please yourself.

The idea is this: You do something good, you get a reward.

There are 2 rewards you can get, the reward here on earth (praise from people etc) or the reward from God.

You can't have both. It's a common biblical thing. What you get here you won't get from God. It's like investment. You take it out too early, you don't get as much as you would later.

Things like if you give to charity, feed the poor, help someone financially, donate organs. Do it annonymously so that no one else will know. Try to avoid letting people know that it was you doing good. God will see what is done in secret.

Obviously you can't prevent all people from seeing which is why you'd ask God to give you an oppotunity to do it privately 1 on 1 with that person.

 

[LightHearted]

Awesome post, Sharky. Thanks for the reminder!

 

[Im4HimiHs]

When you do your good works in secret, God see's that in secret and He rewards it. But if you show it to people of your good works, then you get no reward from God.

I agree some use their good works to gain their rewards, however, there are times that the "good works in secret" shared with others, edify others, strengthen others, and encourage others.

As in the Word of God, written to share the "secret" ....

As a child I heard about a person praying for hours, in tongues and in understanding, .....just hearing about it caused me to want to pray for hours also, and to have a relationship with God. This little thing done in secret, had it not been shared, would not have changed my life.

 

[Mercy Me]

We have a homeless ministry - we go out on the streets two nights a week, taking food, soup, coffee, clothes, blankets, toiletries, bibles, etc.

We tell EVERYONE about it!

We don't do it to brag, but to expose the desperate need..... to inform people how they can help. If we didn't do that, the ministry would not grow and we wouldn't have all the volunteers and supplies we need (as the need is great).

Many times after I speak, people say things like: "Wow! You guys are awesome to do what you do!"..... we just let it roll off, knowing that our real blessing is in doing what Jesus would've done... to the least of these.

So, I believe there are times when doing good works SHOULD be talked about!

 

[Sharky]

We have a homeless ministry - we go out on the streets two nights a week, taking food, soup, coffee, clothes, blankets, toiletries, bibles, etc.

We tell EVERYONE about it!

We don't do it to brag, but to expose the desperate need..... to inform people how they can help. If we didn't do that, the ministry would not grow and we wouldn't have all the volunteers and supplies we need (as the need is great).

Many times after I speak, people say things like: "Wow! You guys are awesome to do what you do!"..... we just let it roll off, knowing that our real blessing is in doing what Jesus would've done... to the least of these.

So, I believe there are times when doing good works SHOULD be talked about!

For sure.

There are of course tons of good works that are worth talking about but the real reward is the reward to keep to yourself and God.

It's okay. I'm not telling people to stop doing good works in public. It's just that you need to TRY whenever possible to not tell anyone.

Matt 6 doesn't say don't do your good works in public it says 'Take care not to do your good works in public or before men in order to be seen by them.'

You can't stop everyone seeing your good works esp if it's a huge group reaching out to people. Just don't do it to be seen.


In one way, it keeps you humble in front of people. So you can 'appear' to be doing nothing. People will go to you 'oh look at you you don't even do anything you hypocrite' etc etc etc. Then you just smile it off and walk away knowing that God knows what you've done.

 

[Nikicarol]

I think the point here is that we shouldn't brag about what we have done and tell people so that we look good because that puts focus on us and not God.

Even sometimes if you tell someone about something good that you have done, you may start out with the right intention to bring glory to God, but it is tempting and very difficult not to feel pride in the things we do, especially when people start saying how kind or generous you are (focus on you and not God) - so sometimes it is better to keep silent about it.

Love - Nicky

 

[Caedmon]

I get warm-fuzzies, no matter if my works are public or private. I don't think that it's an either/or issue. It's not that you get warm-fuzzies or rewards in Heaven. It's that you get warm-fuzzies, but only a motivation of unselfish love will extend those rewards into Heaven.

 

[Tara]

Sharky what a fabulous thread. Yes I have done that often. Sometimes I am bursting to tell someone, satan works hard doesn't he. It is one of the things I am working on at the moment. Please pray for me.

 

[Xx undignified xX]

I don't think that scripture is about keeping them as a secret as long as you do it for the glory of God and not for yourself.

 

[ydouxist]

Good word brother.

The praises of men are so fleeting.
Like grass tossed into the fire
The deeds that we do, keep hidden from view
For God knows our hearts desire

 

[TheThirdLink]

 

[The Julikenz]

Hey sharkey, i wanna praise God for the way He is obviously planning to / or is currently use(ing) u!! i juast wanna Pray for you, coz Satan is sending attack, hes sure not happy at the way God has powerfully exposed the worlds pride to so many of us, as you proboly know, the theif comes only to steal , kill and destroy!! john 10:10 and he alread y wants to steal back that confrontational message, so WATCH OUT!! hes gunna hit you really hard with persecution and man, itll be subtle., so suit up (ephesians 6) have your sword rerady (the word) and stand firm in the foundation of God!!! Keep going for God man! luv jazel

 

[Motor City Christian]

That was a very humbling OP Sharky. It's so true though; our works put our faith into action. I served in the nursery for awhile, and it felt kind of thankfulness. God will see our works and reward us.

 

[alaurie]

Matthew 6:1
"Take care not to do your good deeds publicaly or before men, in order to be seen by them; otherwise you will have no reward [reserved for and awaiting you] with and from your Father Who is in heaven."

I don't think that scripture is about keeping them as a secret as long as you do it for the glory of God and not for yourself.

Thanks for this thread, Sharky. Talk about one of my major areas of weakness! The warm fuzzies can jump right into to pride in a heartbeat.

But I do agree with Xundignified to an extent. Serving him well, feeling joy about it and sharing it with loved ones isn't what I think Matthew is refering to. Nor do I think it's wrong to recount deeds to inspire others. What would Christian literature be without Corrie ten Boom's autobiography, The Hiding Place. In it she tells of the sacrifices she and her family made in WWII hiding Jews in Holland. She lived heroically, but the way the book is written gives all honor and glory to God.

Again, great thread
Allye