So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.
- Matthew 6:2
After dinner a few nights ago, my son Isaac climbed up on the dining room table, where a half-finished jigsaw puzzle was assembled. As you might expect from a toddler, he then started grabbing individual puzzle pieces and throwing them on the ground. By the time we stopped him, the floor was littered with 50 or so puzzle pieces.
The damage already done, we decided to make cleanup a learning experience, showing Isaac how to pick up the pieces and then telling him to do as we had done. He was hesitant at first, but when he successfully mimicked us—picking up a piece and putting it in the box—everybody in the room cheered and clapped. He burst into a big smile, then did it again, to more applause. Every time he did what he was supposed to, he was rewarded with praise.
While perhaps not taken to that extreme—expecting applause every time you do the right thing—we never fully outgrow that desire to be recognized for our good works. In Jesus’ day, there was a particular group, the scribes and Pharisees, who loved to parade their religiosity before the people. When they prayed and fasted and gave to the poor, they made a show of it, wanting to be sure everybody saw what righteous people they were.
But Jesus calls his disciples to a different posture—not to showy religiosity, but to quiet faithfulness. Instead of practicing righteousness for earthly rewards like recognition, the Lord points us toward the integrity of doing what is right even when nobody notices.
It can be tough to abandon that childlike need for praise, to be comfortable serving the Lord even when your work goes unnoticed. But be assured that the Lord sees even when others don’t—and while you may lose out on the earthly reward of applause, you can look forward to heavenly reward.
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