Seeking God's Reward Over Man's Appreciation

"But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly." (Matthew 6:3-4)

The Pitfall of Seeking Recognition

In our Christian walk, it's easy to fall into the trap of seeking the approval and appreciation of others. We may find ourselves tempted to give to the Lord's work with the underlying motive of gaining recognition or special treatment from those around us. However, Lord Jesus warns us against this mindset in Matthew 6:1, saying, "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven."

When we give with the intention of drawing attention to ourselves, we are trading an eternal reward for a fleeting, temporal one. The compliments and admiration of others may feel good at the moment, but they pale in comparison to the joy of knowing we have pleased our Heavenly Father.

The Beauty of Giving in Secret

Lord Jesus instructs us to give in secret, not letting our left hand know what our right hand is doing (Matthew 6:3). This means that we should give discreetly, without fanfare or self-promotion. When we give in this manner, we are demonstrating our trust in God and our desire to honour Him above all else.

The apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in 2 Corinthians 9:7, saying, "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." Our giving should come from a heart overflowing with gratitude and love for God, not from a begrudging sense of obligation or a desire for personal gain.

The Reward of the Father

When we give secretly, with pure motives and a cheerful heart, we can trust that our Heavenly Father sees and will reward us openly (Matthew 6:4). This reward may not come in the form of earthly riches or accolades but rather in the deepening of our relationship with God and the joy that comes from knowing we are storing up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20).

In Luke 6:38, Lord Jesus promises, "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." As we give generously and secretly, we can trust that God will bless us abundantly, not necessarily in material wealth, but in the richness of His presence and the satisfaction of knowing we have been faithful stewards of all He has entrusted to us.

Cultivating a Heart of Humble Giving

Training ourselves to give without seeking the appreciation of men requires a shift in our perspective and a continual renewing of our minds. How can we do this? Romans 12:2 (Msg) tells us, “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture around you that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.” We must regularly remind ourselves that our ultimate aim is to please God and bring glory to His name, not to elevate our own reputation or status.

One practical way to cultivate a heart of humble giving is to prayerfully consider the words of Colossians 3:23-24: "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." By keeping our eyes fixed on Christ and our eternal inheritance, we can more easily resist the temptation to seek the fleeting praise of men.

So, let us be mindful of our motives in giving to the Lord's work. May we strive to give secretly, with pure hearts and a deep desire to please our Heavenly Father. As we do so, we can trust that He will reward us openly, not only in this life but also in the life to come. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), and give cheerfully and generously, knowing that our true reward awaits us in eternity.

Seeking God's Reward Over Man's Appreciation

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