A lot of us love the warm glow of helping someone—and the recognition it brings. Hearing praise and gratitude can make us feel our lives are meaningful and can even give us energy to do more good. But is it possible to crave adulation…almost as if it were an addiction?
As broken humans, it’s easy to crave attention, because when someone builds us up, it makes us feel good about ourselves. Helping others is what Christians are called to do. Jesus was constantly reaching out to people who were hurting, rejected, sick, and lost. We are called to follow His example (John 13:15; Ephesians 5:1-2), and when people see us emulating Christ, they might be inspired to do so as well. But seeking attention for helping others can easily become like an addiction if we need people to constantly fuss over us each time. It can lead to being easily offended if we don’t receive the praise we think we deserve.
Some people are naturally generous, and this is wonderful, but now and then it’s good to commit an act of kindness in secret. Jesus taught His followers about the impact of helping others without an audience (Matthew 6:3). For example, if you are saving up to donate to a charity close to your heart, do you really have to tell everyone about it? It would be tempting to inform people of your plans and bask in praise, but Jesus reminds us there is glory in keeping quiet because God blesses you when He sees you doing something kind in secret.
Sound harsh? It isn’t meant to. When we show off, the pleasure and satisfaction is momentary. God wants the best for us. He sent His Son to show His love to the utmost. He gave Himself up for us so that everyone who trusts in Him could be saved from death and receive His grace. When we follow Jesus’ teaching and God’s direction with a willing heart, then we are rewarded eternally. • Cindy Lee
• Where do you like to serve? How would you feel if you did the task without anyone knowing?
• In the Bible, Jesus is often moved with compassion right before He helps people (Matthew 20:34; Mark 6:34). If you know Him, His compassion lives in you through the Holy Spirit! Ask God to help you sense and respond to the ways He nudges you to show compassion to others.
• Reflect and ask God for an idea of an act of kindness you could do without anyone knowing.
“But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.†Matthew 6:3 (NLT)
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