Recently, I came across a news story of a person doing good deeds for others. During this time, this person recorded themselves doing these great deeds. After these events transpired, this person proceeded to post these experiences on the internet. While it is admirable to see someone have the heart of a servant, I did not understand the purpose of sharing such events for the world to see. What was the motivation for doing this? Why do others need to know of the good works that we do? 

As Christians, what motivates us to do great deeds? What motivates us to serve? Are we seeking attention for what we do, or do we serve because it is the right thing to do? In the book of Matthew, we see Jesus address this. In Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus says, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

When we do good things, even if we receive praise, that should not drive us to do those things. We need to have the awareness to recognize what drives us. Our driving force should not be personal gain; rather, it should be because it is the right thing to do. 

While sharing our experiences with others could be natural, let us be careful how we go about that. Rather than being eager to share the good works we do, we should thank our Father in Heaven for those opportunities. After that, let us look for those next opportunities. It is a never-ending process that we should refrain from bringing attention too.