Devotion 

Don’t Be a Show-off

Frances Taylor 

Many people do good things. The question here is, why? One summer I worked in the office of a major university where I recorded the donations that came in on cards with the name of the donor on them. I came across many names of prominent people who were quite familiar to me, but there was a notation on the top of many of those cards that said "anonymous." Many of these people actually had two cards, one for the public and the other not. The public one was for far less money. They wanted to support the college, but didn't want credit for their generosity. Obviously, people will be rewarded here for a generosity of spirit, they will be known for performing acts of heroism. We know the names of people who have worked to spread the gospel message and those who work tirelessly for justice. This does not take away from their sacrifice. But, there also are people who want to be known for their good acts and it is these that Jesus warns about. It is one thing for people to come to know the goodness of others; it is another for that person to call attention to what they are doing for their own glory. Do we act because as followers of Christ we are called to do what we do? Or, do we want attention?

Prayer 

Lord, may I always do the right thing for the right reasons. Loving your people and working for justice should not be done for the glory of anyone except you. Amen.