Yesterday my best friend sent me a draft of an email she wanted to send out to thank all of the people who support her. Many people see her publicly but they don’t see her family, church, friends, colleagues and students who support her privately and she just simply wanted to tell everyone thank you.
Although she would have loved to list everyone’s name, she couldn’t. She had to decide who to “personally shout out” and who not to. She asked me, “Would you feel slighted if you read this and your name wasn’t mentioned?” Of course, I wouldn’t. She’s my best friend:) but could I answer so quickly if she was my coworker, my boss or my neighbor?
Let’s be honest. We all want to feel appreciated but we must be very careful to make sure that the reason we do what we do for others is not only because we want to be recognized.
In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus says, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.” In other words, Jesus’ primary concern is our motives. He’s more concerned with why we’re helping than who we’re helping because God looks at our heart before He looks at our hand. Anyone who does a good deed only to be seen or appreciated by others will lose his or her reward in Heaven because all of their rewards will be received on earth.
So, yes it is nice to be told thank you and my friend always does that, publicly and privately. But if you and I don’t get the accolades that we may desire or even deserve, on our job, at school or even from our family, don’t let that drive your motivation because you will receive your reward later, but from God Himself.
