If you have not read the scripture yet, please stop and go back and read it now. Jesus said there are good people who do good things, good deeds, and who are generous but who want to make sure everybody knows so that others will praise them, think good about them, and be impressed with them. They have to get credit and recognition for their goodness to feel good about themselves. For some people it is not enough just to do good for good’s sake. We all know people who, if they don’t get credit or get recognition or hear their name called out, they get mad and get their feelings hurt. But Jesus said when you give and you do good, do it quietly, do it in secret, and don’t let anybody know. God will know, and He will reward you. Practice the discipline of secrecy. Go out and do something good. Give away some money, do a kind deed for someone else, and make sure no one finds out. If you do that enough, you will learn that it is possible to survive and feel good without saying, “Look at me. Look at what I did.” It is a sweet spot of contentment and joy when you can learn to love, serve, and to give without having to get credit, recognition, or praise.
– Dr. Tim Thompson