Earlier this week, I had an eye-opening experience.
Our office building (with a handful of businesses with one to four employees each) decided to collectively gather donations of clothing, baby items, toiletries, school supplies, etc. to send down to flood-stricken Georgia.
While I was packaging up the boxes to be shipped out on Monday, one of the women who works in the building came down the stairs and watched. She made very certain I knew which of the bags were from her.
Within one bag I found the receipt, which I just handed to her without glancing at it. Then the woman started itemizing each and every item she donated AND THE PRICE of each one. Then she added after summing up her contribution, "I see that some people only brought in used clothing to donate. *I* went out and BOUGHT new stuff. After all I believe one must really SACRIFICE in order for the good deed to count." With that she strutted up the stairs.
I was disgusted by her behavior. I know times are lean and people can only contribute what they can afford. Some donated used clothing, but others had purchased new items as well. For the bulk of the contributions, none but the giver knows who placed them in the box. But this woman made it sound as if her contribution was far greater than any other.
A friend of mine had the right train of thought; he said "She got her reward." Like Christ said of those who clashed the cymbals as they made their way through the street calling everyone's attention to their fasting or prayers, those who make a "big to-do" over what they do call the spotlight to themselves. That one little moment that the spotlight touches them IS their reward. That's it. If that truly is all they seek, then let them have that spotlight.
But for those who seek more than a moment of fleeting fame, let them do things in secret. If not in secret, at least don't call attention to what you do or shout about what you've done for all to hear. The acts, deeds, works and words WILL speak for themselves so others can see the good of those things. And in the life to come, God will know who performed those things and did not call the spotlight to them.
The rest is just stardust that blows off our skin and clothes in the coming storm.
Works that are done in secret
Wonders of the next life
Forever
-ESA
Our office building (with a handful of businesses with one to four employees each) decided to collectively gather donations of clothing, baby items, toiletries, school supplies, etc. to send down to flood-stricken Georgia.
While I was packaging up the boxes to be shipped out on Monday, one of the women who works in the building came down the stairs and watched. She made very certain I knew which of the bags were from her.
Within one bag I found the receipt, which I just handed to her without glancing at it. Then the woman started itemizing each and every item she donated AND THE PRICE of each one. Then she added after summing up her contribution, "I see that some people only brought in used clothing to donate. *I* went out and BOUGHT new stuff. After all I believe one must really SACRIFICE in order for the good deed to count." With that she strutted up the stairs.
I was disgusted by her behavior. I know times are lean and people can only contribute what they can afford. Some donated used clothing, but others had purchased new items as well. For the bulk of the contributions, none but the giver knows who placed them in the box. But this woman made it sound as if her contribution was far greater than any other.
A friend of mine had the right train of thought; he said "She got her reward." Like Christ said of those who clashed the cymbals as they made their way through the street calling everyone's attention to their fasting or prayers, those who make a "big to-do" over what they do call the spotlight to themselves. That one little moment that the spotlight touches them IS their reward. That's it. If that truly is all they seek, then let them have that spotlight.
But for those who seek more than a moment of fleeting fame, let them do things in secret. If not in secret, at least don't call attention to what you do or shout about what you've done for all to hear. The acts, deeds, works and words WILL speak for themselves so others can see the good of those things. And in the life to come, God will know who performed those things and did not call the spotlight to them.
The rest is just stardust that blows off our skin and clothes in the coming storm.
Works that are done in secret
Wonders of the next life
Forever
-ESA
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amen....thank u for your wise words....it's like the man who wanted to impress Jesus because of his donation; and yet, Jesus was more impressed with the woman who gave only a penny....the difference? the man had lots to give, the woman only had a penny...
ReplyDeletepeace and blessings to you today