Accolades

Matthew 6:1-4 – “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”

Most everyone loves attention at some time or another. We like the idea of being recognized from time to time for the hard work that we put into whatever it is we do. We like for others to see us. 

But what are we doing when no one is watching? Do we still try just as hard when we are alone?

Apply that concept to your spiritual life. Do you only acknowledge and follow after God only when people are watching or listening? Or do you choose His way each and every time, no matter what? 

I think we are all guilty, from time to time, of wanting someone to recognize our hard work for the Lord. We may do what is right when no one is looking but then we tell someone about it so that they can praise us for our choice and dedication. Ouch! 

Humility is a tough cookie to swallow sometimes. Pride gets in the way. 

I’m not sure how to end this one. I think we all suffer from the sin of pride. I think humility is something we all could use more of. I know in my own life that I struggle with pride. I like for others to know what I have done. And when I tell them, my humility that I may have had when I was engaged in the activity, goes down the toilet. 

So this week, let’s all pray that our humility will outweigh our pride. Let’s pray that our actions for Christ will not be overcome by our overshadowed by our desire for recognition. Let’s choose to delay our accolades until God recognizes them in eternity.